Ford is taking action to address a potential safety issue in its popular F-150 trucks, announcing a recall of over 870,000 vehicles in the United States. The recall, submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), addresses a problem that could cause the parking brake to engage without warning.
According to the NHTSA report, the issue stems from wear and tear in the rear axle wiring harness. This wear could create a connection that inadvertently activates the parking brake, potentially while the vehicle is in motion. This poses a significant safety risk, as the sudden activation of the parking brake could lead to accidents.
The recall affects F-150 models from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years, specifically those equipped with a single-pipe exhaust system. While Ford estimates that only about 1% of the recalled vehicles actually have the defect, the company is taking a proactive approach to ensure the safety of its customers.
“It is far better to be cautious than to have accidents on the road that catch them off guard,” said the author.
The potential consequences of this fault are serious. Ford has received numerous warranty claims related to the issue, including reports of unintended parking brake activation. The company has received 299 reports of the brake activating unexpectedly, with 19 of those instances occurring while the vehicle was in motion. Fortunately, no accidents or serious injuries have been reported to date.
Ford’s response to the issue involves a straightforward action plan:
- Affected owners were notified starting September 11th.
- Owners are asked to take their vehicles to authorized dealers or workshops for inspection.
- Defective harnesses will be replaced, and a protective strap will be added to non-defective harnesses to prevent future problems.
- All repairs will be performed free of charge for Ford owners.
If you own one of the affected F-150 trucks, it’s important to wait for official notification from Ford. If you prefer not to wait, you can check your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA or Ford website to determine if your vehicle is included in the recall, then schedule an appointment with your nearest workshop. This measure will help ensure drivers can continue operating their vehicles with no hazards.
