Ford Recalling 661,000 Explorer SUVs for Real This Time
Ford Motor Co. is recalling over 660,000 2016-2019 model year Explorer sport utility vehicles over the suspect roof rails the company initially claimed were probably fine. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got involved last year, following a string of complaints of the rail cover loosening and sometimes being jettisoned from the vehicle, and recommended the automaker bring them in for repairs.
But Blue Oval felt that was unnecessary, claiming the odds of one decoupling were extremely low and likely to be battened down before anything happens. Besides, they’re just fiddly little pieces of trim and unlikely to do much damage. Obviously, opinions have changed since then with documentation from the NHTSA confirming Ford is moving ahead with the mostly voluntary recall.
A report, first shared by Reuters, verifies that Ford’s Critical Concerns Review Group was informed in May of 2020 — immediately after the NHTSA made its inquiry to the automaker. At the time there were 11 reports of detaching or loosening rail covers. Ford launched an investigation that wrapped in August of 2020, suggesting that the component was of low risk and would likely be noticed rattling long before it ended up flying off the car. However, Ford did extend its warranty to cover the issue for 10 years or 150,000 miles before this year’s recall was made.
The automaker met with regulators again in April. While Ford maintained that continued research showed the risks were low, especially in regard to heavier, plated roof rails, the NHTSA still wanted a recall. A compromise was reached and the recall now pertains exclusively to rail covers that have been painted silver or black. It looks like the thinner, plastic sleeves don’t stand up as well to the thermocycling created by direct sunlight — which is what Ford’s blaming their failure upon.
Customers will be receiving notifications from the manufacturer starting June 28th and can schedule an appointment to have their potentially warped rail covers replaced free of charge.
[Images: Ford Motor Co.]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
Gotta admire the sheer efficiency of a roof rack made with so little material that a layer of paint is the only thing stopping it from exploding in the wind.
Well, you know that thermocycling... guess Ford figured their cars would get thermal damage from catching fire before the sun got 'em...