Ford Recalls 85,000 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles
Ford is issuing a recall for approximately 85,000 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles due to concerns that the engines could fail prematurely, leading to potential fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Friday that the recall impacts vehicles from the model years 2020 to 2022 equipped with 3.3-liter hybrid or gas engines.
Safety Concerns and Potential Risks
NHTSA has warned that in the event of engine failure, significant amounts of oil or fuel vapors may be released into the under-hood area. This can pose a serious risk as these vapors may migrate near ignition sources and accumulate, potentially causing under-hood fires, localized melting of components, or smoking. The agency revealed that there have been 13 reports of under-hood fires caused by engine block ruptures in Explorer PIU vehicles with 3.3L engines manufactured before June 2, 2022.
Response and Precautionary Measures
Ford has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue. However, as a precautionary measure, the automaker will be sending out letters to vehicle owners to inform them of the ongoing investigation. Owners are advised to promptly stop their vehicles and turn off the engine if they notice any unexpected engine noise, experience a sudden decrease in torque, or see smoke coming from the engine compartment.
A service recovery plan is currently in development, with parts and software expected to be available in the second quarter of the following year. Ford is taking the necessary steps to address the issue and ensure the safety of its customers.
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