Ford Motor Company (F)

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Ford recalls over 2M Explorer SUVs worldwide
By: Investing | January 24, 2024

Detroit automaker, Ford (NYSE:F) announced Wednesday that the company is recalling 2.24 million Ford Explorer SUVs worldwide made between 2011-2019 due to potential issues with trim retention clips not being properly engaged.

The recall includes 1.89 million SUVs in the United States, spanning model years 2011 through 2019. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that the trim on these vehicles could detach, prompting the safety recall.

Ford has stated there have been no reported crashes or injuries associated with the identified problem.

As part of the recall, authorized dealers will conduct inspections and replace the A-pillar trim as needed. The A-pillar is the metal support for the windshield, and Ford ceased using this particular part in 2019.

Approximately 5% of the affected vehicle population, as estimated by Ford, is expected to be impacted by this recall. Owners of the identified vehicles may observe gaps around a loose A-pillar trim or notice audible rattles or excessive wind noise from the A-pillar area.

Ford revealed that it had initially received an informal inquiry from the NHTSA in 2018 regarding detachments of exterior A-pillar trim parts on 2012-2014 Explorer vehicles. At the time, the automaker determined that the issue did not pose an unreasonable safety risk.

However, in 2021, Ford reopened a review of the matter and again concluded that a recall was unnecessary.

The situation took a turn in February 2023 when the NHTSA initiated a preliminary investigation to reassess the issue. In August of the same year, Ford received an inquiry from Transport Canada addressing the identical problem.

The NHTSA emphasized to Ford that the trim detachment while driving posed a road safety hazard to other vehicles.

Ford acknowledged being aware of 14,337 warranty reports alleging missing or detached exterior A-pillar trim parts.

Shares of F are down 2.68% in afternoon trading on Wednesday.

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