Ford Gearing Up To Recall 180,000 F-150 Vehicles
Michael Babboni
Recalls
Ford made a huge announcement in the latter portion of December 2021 having to do with its ever popular F-150 pickup trucks. More than 180,000 F-150 trucks with model years 2021 and 2022 are being recalled due to drive shaft issues that may cause the vehicle to stall while in motion. While no injuries or fatalities have been attributed to the defect as of yet, the driveshaft failure can lead to a dangerous situation should a failure occur on St. Petersburg area roadways.What Caused The Recall
While the issue is primarily in the driveshaft, the defect really starts in the dual insulators. Two underbody acoustic thermal insulators can grow loose over time, which may then lead the insulators to knock against the driveshaft causing cracks, fractures, or other damage. Should the driveshaft suffer a severe enough crack or fracture, it will cause the truck to stall while in motion.
No accidents have been reported due to the driveshaft and insulator issue yet, but Ford was alerted to the possibility all the way back in July of 2021. During these initial investigations, Ford found the loosening of the insulators and estimates the issue may impact around 10% of all 2021 and 2022 F-150 SuperCrew model trucks sold.
Owners may be able to accurately determine if their vehicle is affected if they hear rattling or clunking while in motion. These sounds may be attributed to the dual insulators knocking against the driveshaft while the vehicle is in motion. Ford stopped making vehicles with the problem insulators in November of 2021.
What To Do If Your Vehicle Is Recalled
Ford is gearing up to send out recall notices beginning in late January of 2022. However, if you believe you have one of the affected F-150 trucks, you don’t have to wait until you receive your recall notice to have your vehicle repaired. Owners of the affected trucks can simply call their local St. Petersburg area Ford dealership to set up an appointment for an inspection and, if needed, repair. Owners of F-150 SuperCrew trucks from years 2021 and 2022 can also enter their VIN number into the NHTSA recalls website to see if they can expect to receive a recall notice.
Second Ford Recall In December
The F-150 recall wasn’t the only recall affecting Ford owners in December of 2021. Earlier in the month, Ford announced their plans to recall more than 115,000 2021 and 2022 Bronco Sport and Ford Escape SUVs due to a brake lining issue with the potential to reduce power brake performance. Like the F-150 recall, there are no reported incidents related to the issue yet, but the defect may lead drivers to be unable to brake in time with traffic, obstacles in the road, or even traffic signs.
Owners of the affected Bronco Sport and Escape vehicles can expect to be notified starting in mid-January of 2022. To learn if they are an owner of one of the affected vehicles, drivers can run their VIN number in the NHTSA recalls database website.
The Representation You Need When Your Vehicle Is Defective
While no accidents have been reported in either recall yet, the potential for an auto accident due to vehicle defects does exist. If you find yourself in an auto accident thanks to a vehicle defect, or for any reason, the right representation matters. To learn more about what we can do for you to get you the compensation you deserve, contact us at TheStPeteLawyer.com today.