Photo: Lincoln Motor Company
With 41.6 million vehicles affected in the U.S. alone, it'll be a long time before a more massive recall than the one for Takata's defective airbag inflators comes along.
Some might point a finger at Volkswagen's diesel emissions situation that started over five years ago, but that didn't feel like a classic recall. Sure, it meant the German company had to dig deep into its pockets to come out clean - well, as clean as it could - but the number of vehicles rumored to have actually been recalled is "just" 11 million worldwide, which is a long shout from Takata's numbers.
By comparison, this latest Ford (and Lincoln) recall seems like a joke, but for the people affected, it'll still be a considerable nuisance. Luckily, the number of vehicles affected by this issue is extremely small - 286 units combined - as it only refers to SUVs built between May 26 and May 30, 2020, for the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor, and May 28 to June 2, 2020, for the Lincoln Aviator.
It's not the NHTSA that has ordered the recall, but Ford Motor Company itself. Apparently, the problem causing all the commotion is a contaminated windshield washer that was found not to be compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Judging by the number of vehicles affected and the short production time span, it's safe to assume only a small batch of the product was found not to be within the company's standards.
Ford doesn't offer any details about the type of contamination, but it does say it is "not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition". It's also not clear what kind of danger this contaminating substance presents - more importantly, whether it's hazardous for humans, or potentially just for the vehicle's other components that come into contact with the fluid.
You would imagine the washer fluid would be long gone by now, but the idea is that traces of the contaminant might still be found inside the system. That's why Ford plans to "flush out the washer system, replace the windshield washer fluid, washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor, and front and rear wiper blades. Additionally, dealers will inspect and repair paint and exterior components, if needed".
If anything, this proves just how important every tiny cog in the production process is. One minor slip up at the wrong time before delivery and the effort needed to make it right later on is disproportionately higher. We're looking at a $2 washer fluid causing repairs probably worth in the hundreds, if not more.
Owners should wait to be contacted by Ford via email. Alternatively, if they suspect their vehicle might be affected, they can contact the local Ford or Lincoln dealer for further clarification.
By comparison, this latest Ford (and Lincoln) recall seems like a joke, but for the people affected, it'll still be a considerable nuisance. Luckily, the number of vehicles affected by this issue is extremely small - 286 units combined - as it only refers to SUVs built between May 26 and May 30, 2020, for the Ford Explorer Police Interceptor, and May 28 to June 2, 2020, for the Lincoln Aviator.
It's not the NHTSA that has ordered the recall, but Ford Motor Company itself. Apparently, the problem causing all the commotion is a contaminated windshield washer that was found not to be compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Judging by the number of vehicles affected and the short production time span, it's safe to assume only a small batch of the product was found not to be within the company's standards.
Ford doesn't offer any details about the type of contamination, but it does say it is "not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition". It's also not clear what kind of danger this contaminating substance presents - more importantly, whether it's hazardous for humans, or potentially just for the vehicle's other components that come into contact with the fluid.
You would imagine the washer fluid would be long gone by now, but the idea is that traces of the contaminant might still be found inside the system. That's why Ford plans to "flush out the washer system, replace the windshield washer fluid, washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor, and front and rear wiper blades. Additionally, dealers will inspect and repair paint and exterior components, if needed".
If anything, this proves just how important every tiny cog in the production process is. One minor slip up at the wrong time before delivery and the effort needed to make it right later on is disproportionately higher. We're looking at a $2 washer fluid causing repairs probably worth in the hundreds, if not more.
Owners should wait to be contacted by Ford via email. Alternatively, if they suspect their vehicle might be affected, they can contact the local Ford or Lincoln dealer for further clarification.
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