Ford Motor Company is recalling 661,000 Explorer SUVs in North America at the request of U.S. regulators because the retention pins in these vehicles could loosen and allow the roof rail covers to detach. According to a Reuters news report, the recall covers 2016 through 2019 model year vehicles. When the recall begins, dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers.
Details of the Recall
According to documents posted by Ford, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first inquired about the issue in early 2020 following 11 reports of roof rail cover detachments. In April, NHTSA requested Ford issue a recall, which the automaker initially said was not necessary because of the low likelihood of a rail roof detaching, its small weight, and the fact drivers would likely detect a loose roof rail cover.
The second-largest U.S. automaker said in documents posted Sunday that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first inquired about the issue in early 2020 following 11 reports of roof rail cover detachment. In April, it requested Ford issue a recall, which the carmaker had initially said was not necessary because of the low likelihood of a roof rail detaching, its small weight and the fact drivers would likely detect a loose roof rail cover, according to the documents.
Ford had also said in November that it would extend its warranty to cover the issue for 10 years or 150,000 miles before agreeing to the recall on April 30. The automaker has said it is not aware of any crashes or injuries linked to these recalled vehicles. The SUVs covered by this recall have roof rail covers that are painted silver, black or absolute black. Ford will begin to notify vehicle owners starting the week of June 28. The recall includes 620,483 vehicles in the U.S., 36,419 in Canada and 4,260 in Mexico.
Auto Product Liability Issues
When roof rail covers come loose and detach from a vehicle, they could potentially cause a crash or pose a hazard to other vehicles on the roadway. Automakers should act quickly to recall affected vehicles when a safety issue is involved. The longer they take to do that, the more people could potentially get injured.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective auto product, you may be able to seek compensation from the automaker or other parties for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain, and suffering, and emotional distress. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ford-recalls-nearly-617000-us-explorer-suvs-2021-05-09/
