More Ford Recalls: A Trio of Moves Covering 114,000 Cars

Ford is closing out the year the same way that the troubled automaker has started and ended previous years: with a bunch of recalls.

The company recently issued three separate recalls on the same day, covering more than 300,000 vehicles. The defects prompting the recalls include faulty transmissions, falling door trim, and moonroof wind deflectors that could detach.

Ford continues to hold the crown as the king of recalls. The automaker has issued more recalls this year than GM, Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, Mercedes, and Hyundai combined. It has also broken the record for recalls in a single year.

The transmission recall covers nearly 35,000 vehicles across models, according to Auto Evolution. The vehicles are equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions whose gearboxes were incorrectly remanufactured with missing T10 bearings. That could prevent the vehicles from fully engaging in park, causing them to roll away.

The recall covers a range of vehicles:

• 2019 Mustang
• 2019-2021 Ranger 
• 2020-2021 Transit
• 2018-2021 Expedition
• 2018-2021 Navigator
• 2020-2021 Explorer
• 2017-2021 F-150

The second recall is a response to reports that trim from driver and passenger doors could detach from Ford cars and trucks. It covers about 102,000 vehicles, the company told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Driver and front passenger door B-pillar trim appliques may detach from the vehicle while driving,” Ford said in a recall notice. “A B-pillar trim applique that detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.”

Finally, Ford is also calling back vehicles across models because of a defect that could cause moonroof wind deflectors to detach. Some 175,000 cars and trucks are at risk, according to Ford.

“The clips on the wind deflector’s fabric lower attachment strip may not have been properly attached to retention tabs,” the company told NHTSA. “Flash on the wind deflector clips may have prevented the clips from fully seating during installation.”

Like the door trim issue, this is a problem both for people in the cars and anyone sharing the road with them. “A wind deflector that fully detaches while driving can create a road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.”

Ford Owners: Know Your Lemon Law Rights

Given the various safety issues impacting Ford vehicles, it is important that car owners in California know that they have some important rights and protections.

The California lemon law requires Ford and other carmakers to perform a full range of repairs on vehicles under warranty. It also requires companies to buy back (or, in some cases, replace) vehicles they are unable or unwilling to fix. 

The buyback requirement includes compensation for the owner's down payment on the car, monthly loan payments, and the outstanding balance on the loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car, and other related expenses. 

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective Ford or other vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.