Ford Australia Recalls F-150 Over Safety Concern

According to Australia's Department of Infrastructure, no fewer than 9 remanufactured vehicles have been hit with a safety recall concerning the steering wheel airbag. More specifically, an insufficient weld between the clock spring assembly's ribbon cable and bus bar may result in a deactivated airbag. In this case, a warning light will illuminate on the instrument cluster.

In addition to a deactivated airbag, a severed electrical connection would also result in a loss of steering wheel controls and an inoperative horn. Ford Australia urges owners to check the list of suspect vehicles on the Department of Infrastructure's recall portal, then schedule a service appointment with the preferred Ford dealership.

Back in December 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a safety recall over the very same condition. A grand total of 17,970 vehicles were recalled in the United States of America, split between 9,281 units of the F-150, 3,337 of the F-250, 2,919 of the F-350, 680 of the F-450, 1,472 of the F-550, and 281 of the F-600.

Their production dates range between January 3, 2023 and August 2, 2023. The suspect clock springs were supplied by Farmington Hills-based BCS Automotive Interface Solutions. The Ford Motor Company lists no fewer than 11 part numbers for the suspect clock springs. Obviously enough, clock springs produced during the suspect time frame had been or will be replaced at no charge whatsoever.

American owners were notified via first-class mail between January 8 and January 12. Refreshed for the 2024 model year, the F-150 carries a starting price of $36,570 in the United States of America. Unleashed at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show, the revised truck features improved exterior styling, a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a multifunction tailgate dubbed Pro-Access Tailgate, and more power for the Raptor R's V8 engine. The 3.3-liter V6 is gone, though. In its place, the standard engine now comes in the form of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost (325 hp and 400 lb-ft / 542 Nm).

In Australia, the 2024 Ford F-150 stickers at 106,950 bucks before on-road costs for the XLT SWB. The most expensive spec is the Lariat LWD at 140,945 bucks. Said prices convert to 70,535 and 92,950 freedom eagles at current exchange rates. Australian customers are presented with the crew cab style and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 exclusively.

The 2.7's brother develops 298 kW and 678 Nm, which means 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet. Braked towing capacity tops 4,500 kilograms (9,920 pounds), therefore matching the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 for the Australian market. As implied, the difference between SWB and LWB is a few millimeters of wheelbase.

Ford Australia lists the RHD F-150 SWB with 3,683 millimeters (145 inches), while the RHD F-150 LWB sports 3,987 millimeters (157 inches). The XLT comes standard with part-time 4WD. The pricier Lariat has full-time 4WD with 4A mode.