Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is issuing a recall for approximately 1.9 million Explorer sport utility vehicles (SUVs) due to concerns about a loose trim piece that could detach, posing a potential road hazard for other drivers.
According to the company, clips securing the trim to the vehicle’s exterior are not properly engaged, leading to the A-pillar trim becoming either loose or fully detached. The recall encompasses Explorer SUVs from model years 2011-2019.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights the risk that the dislodged trim piece could pose to other drivers, increasing the likelihood of a road incident. Ford reports no known accidents or injuries related to this issue.
Although Ford initially identified the problem with the part in 2018 and deemed it not a significant safety concern due to the part’s low mass, the NHTSA’s preliminary investigation last February prompted the automaker to initiate the recall. Ford has received over 14,000 warranty reports related to detached or missing A-pillar trim parts.
According to Maria Buczkowski, Ford’s spokesperson, only 5% of the recalled Explorers are affected by the issue. Owners are encouraged to contact their dealership for a free inspection when replacement parts become available.
Ford plans to notify affected vehicle owners through letters in March, and the necessary inspections and replacements will be conducted at no cost to the owners.
This recall comes after General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) recalled nearly 7 million large pickup trucks and SUVs in November to address potentially hazardous airbag inflators. Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) also recalled almost all its U.S. cars in December over concerns related to autopilot safety, covering various models from 2012 to 2023 equipped with Autosteer.
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Author Stephanie Bédard-Châteauneuf 
