2018-2022 Ford Safety Recall Issued for Nearly 100,000 Vehicles Over Transmission and Door Fire Risk
DETROIT, MI – A major 2018-2022 Ford safety recall has been officially announced, affecting approximately 92,000 vehicles due to a critical defect that can cause unintended movement and vehicle fires. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall targets certain Ford models equipped with electronic parking brakes that may fail to disengage, potentially keeping the vehicle in gear and overheating the transmission. When was this announced? The recall was filed on October 10, 2023. Where is the impact found? The issue stems from a faulty electronic parking brake (EPB) actuator, which can experience a sudden loss of electrical insulation. What exactly is the danger? If the EPB is applied while the vehicle is still in drive, the transmission can overheat, increasing the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Who is affected? The recall covers specific 2018-2022 Ford Escape and 2019-2022 Ford Explorer models manufactured in the United States and Canada. Why is this happening? Ford identified the problem during internal testing after reports of three thermal events, though no injuries have been reported. Affected owners will be notified by mail starting November 27, 2023, and dealers will inspect and replace the EPB actuator or software update as necessary for free. Ford urges owners to park in open areas away from structures until repairs are completed. This 2018-2022 Ford safety recall underscores the ongoing scrutiny of vehicle safety systems in the automotive industry.