The Explorer and Escape might be brand new for 2020, but they’re recalled because Ford never fails to disappoint. As if that wasn’t enough, the certain models from the Super Duty lineup for 2019 are also called back for repairs.
First things first, let’s start with the heavy-duty trucks. No fewer than 28,549 examples of the breed are involved, and the issue is the steel utilized for the passenger-side axle shaft. According to the Ford Motor Company, the low-grade steel could lead to a fracture and a loss of power in rear-wheel-drive mode. Adding insult to injury, these workhorses may roll away even in Park.
Trucks with the suspected batch of poor steel for the side axle shafts will receive new, high-quality parts at no charge to the owners. In the meantime, the Blue Oval recommends using the parking brake to minimize safety risks.
Moving on to the 2020 Escape, the compact crossover is suspected of missing components that affect the strength of the front seatbacks. If assembled without these parts, the recliner could pose a serious risk to the occupant in the event of a crash. The F-150, Super Duty, previous Explorer, Expedition, and Aviator have been previously recalled over this issue, and the population of potentially affected Escape models is estimated at 9,350 vehicles.
Last, but certainly not least, a total of 10,635 Explorer models with the 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder EcoBoost engine and 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 are under recall over a wiring harness. If improperly secured, the wiring may rub against the air conditioner pulley. Exposing the wiring could cause a short circuit in worst-case scenarios, leading to a vehicle fire.
Dealers were instructed to fix the problem by securing the harness, and if there is any damage, fix it or replace the harness altogether. This campaign comes a few months after the Chicago Assembly Plant was criticized over substandard quality control, a problem that’s synonymous with “planned obsolescence” in this day and age in the automotive industry.
Trucks with the suspected batch of poor steel for the side axle shafts will receive new, high-quality parts at no charge to the owners. In the meantime, the Blue Oval recommends using the parking brake to minimize safety risks.
Moving on to the 2020 Escape, the compact crossover is suspected of missing components that affect the strength of the front seatbacks. If assembled without these parts, the recliner could pose a serious risk to the occupant in the event of a crash. The F-150, Super Duty, previous Explorer, Expedition, and Aviator have been previously recalled over this issue, and the population of potentially affected Escape models is estimated at 9,350 vehicles.
Last, but certainly not least, a total of 10,635 Explorer models with the 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder EcoBoost engine and 3.3-liter Ti-VCT V6 are under recall over a wiring harness. If improperly secured, the wiring may rub against the air conditioner pulley. Exposing the wiring could cause a short circuit in worst-case scenarios, leading to a vehicle fire.
Dealers were instructed to fix the problem by securing the harness, and if there is any damage, fix it or replace the harness altogether. This campaign comes a few months after the Chicago Assembly Plant was criticized over substandard quality control, a problem that’s synonymous with “planned obsolescence” in this day and age in the automotive industry.