Ford Safety Recalls Worth Knowing About

Michelle B
Jan 19, 2021

Manufacturers like Ford strive to produce models that are reliable and safe. But even with their best efforts, issues can still come up, some of which aren’t caught until the vehicle has already been sold. When this happens, a safety recall may be issued.

How many safety recalls has Ford issued?  

Ford has issued a total of 817 recalls on their vehicles. Most of these were minor issues, but some were more serious.   

These include: 

  • Explosion of front airbag inflators 
  • Cracks in fuel tanks  
  • Door latches disengaging  
  • Steering gear failures 

It’s not possible to list all 817 recalls in this article. Instead, we’ll cover the biggest recalls and the vehicles that have been recalled the most times. We’ll also cover steps you can follow to have your Ford vehicle repaired, so you’ll have peace of mind as well as safety on the road.

Rupture of the Passenger Front Airbag Inflator

NHTSA Recall ID: 16V384000

Airbag Caption Closeup

Airbags are designed to protect vehicle occupants from harm when there is a crash, by keeping them from coming into contact with the dashboard or steering wheel.

Some Ford vehicles had problems with airbag inflators rupturing, which sent shrapnel into the passenger compartment and could result in serious bodily harm.

Dealers will replace the airbag inflator to correct the issue.

Fuel Tank May Crack

NHTSA Recall ID: 15V793000

A fuel tank is needed for operation of a vehicle, and safe operation means that the fuel tank is solid, secure, and without leaks.

Some Ford vehicles were fitted with fuel tanks that crack, which caused fuel to leak out of them. This can lead to fires and related problems, raising the risk of serious bodily harm to the vehicle’s occupants.

Dealerships will replace faulty fuel tanks to solve the problem.

Doors May Open While the Vehicle is in Motion

NHTSA Recall ID: 20V331000

Secure door latches matter for any vehicle, to ensure that occupants are protected while the vehicle is in motion.

Some Ford vehicles had door latches that unexpectedly allowed the doors to open when the vehicle was moving. This increases the chances of a collision, as well as the risk of bodily harm to the occupants.

Dealers will replace faulty door latches with properly working latches that keep doors closed.

Steering Gear Motor May Become Detached

NHTSA Recall ID: 19V632000

Steering is a vital part of operating a vehicle safely and ensuring that the driver can navigate to their destination safely.

Some Ford vehicles have steering gear motors that may detach, which will cause a lack of driver control. This can raise the chances of a crash and cause harm to the vehicle’s occupants.

Dealerships will repair the steering gear motor connection and components to correct this problem.

Fuel Delivery Module May Crack and Leak

NHTSA Recall ID: 13V227000

Proper delivery of fuel is one of the most essential parts of secure vehicle operation. It ensures the ability to travel down the road at a safe speed for any condition.

Some Ford vehicles have a faulty fuel delivery module that cracks and leaks fuel onto other parts of the vehicle. This raises the risk of a fire occurring, which can mean a risk of bodily harm to the vehicle’s occupants.

Dealers are replacing the fuel module to solve the issue.

The Most Affected Ford Vehicles

Not every Ford vehicle has experienced a recall, but most of them have. The most widely recalled Ford vehicles when it comes to safety issues are the F-150, with 136 recalls, and the F-250, with 98 recalls.

The Ford Taurus is the most-recalled Ford passenger car, with 71 recalls, and the popular Ford Mustang has 64 recalls. It’s important to check whether or not your vehicle has any recalls so you can get them corrected right away.

How to Handle a Safety Recall on Your Ford

If you’re not sure whether your Ford vehicle has a recall, the best way to find out is to visit the website of the NHTSA. You can search by year, make, and model to get the information you need or input your vehicle’s VIN for information on the listed recalls.

Having a recall on a vehicle you own means you’ll want to contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 so you can find out about the next steps in the process. Then you can find out where you should take your vehicle so you can get any problems corrected.

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