Safety Concerns: Ford Car Defects You Should Know About

When many people think of Ford, they think of reliability and safety. Since its inception in 1903, the Ford Motor Company has been one of the leading brands in the American auto industry, with a long history of producing cars and pickup trucks that stand the test of time.

But no auto company is perfect - and never will be. Mistakes happen, even in factories with the most rigorous quality assurance processes. The company issued 54 recalls - potentially affecting 5,692,135 vehicles - the most of any automaker in 2023. This was the third straight year it topped the list of most recalls in the US.

Ford car defects range from engine failures to fuel leakage, raising serious concerns about the safety of their vehicles. In this post, we’ll discuss the safety defects found in Ford vehicles that might put you and your loved ones at risk.

Let’s get started.

Ford Car Defects You Should Know About

1. Seat Belts

A faulty seat belt can mean the difference between life and death in a crash. Unfortunately, seat belt-related issues, ranging from belts that don’t latch securely to ones that can unexpectedly unbuckle, top the list of safety defects found in the Ford vehicles.

Earlier in 2023, Ford issued a recall notice for more than 175,000 five-door Bronco SUVs from the 2021 through 2023 model years. The issue was the latch plates of the driver and front passenger seats, which were difficult to reach - a clear violation of federal safety standards.

To address the issue, Ford asked its dealers to install a sliding clip latch stop at no extra cost.

2. Engine

Recently, engine failure has been one of the most concerning safety issues for Ford vehicles. The automaker issued a recall for 125,322 vehicles, including the 2020-2023 Ford Escape, 2022-2023 Ford Maverick, and 2021-2023 Lincoln Corsair. Affected vehicles had 2.5-liter HEV/PHEV engines, which can fail prematurely, releasing engine oil and/or fuel vapor that might lead to under-hood fires.

You might find yourself in a dangerous situation if your engine dies or catches fire while driving. Ford has advised customers to pull over immediately and turn off the engine if they notice unusual engine noises, lose power, or detect smoke or odor.

3. Brakes

Brakes are arguably the most important safety feature in any vehicle. You need to trust that your car will stop when you press the brake pedal, but reality has been different for Ford owners.

In 2019, the company recalled more than 2600 Ford Fiestas for brake calipers that could develop a leak. A leaking brake calliper could overheat the brake pads, increasing the risk of brake failure.

Another brake-related defect was reported in 2021 for F-150 pickups when the automaker noticed that the electronic parking brakes could activate while driving. A safety risk like this means drivers could lose control of their vehicle on a freeway, increasing the risk of a fatal crash.

4. Driveshaft

The driveshaft transfers power from the engine to the wheels. If it fails, your car could lose power or lose control if it hits the ground. It could also cause your truck to roll if its stopped and the parking brake isn’t on.

Due to this defect, the automaker recalled nearly a quarter-million F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickup trucks from the 2017 to 2022 model years. The dealers were asked to repair the driveshaft free of charge.

5. Fuel Injectors

There is nothing riskier than a cracked fuel injector when you are cruising at 75 miles an hour on a freeway.

A cracked fuel injector can leak gasoline onto hot engine surface, increasing the risk of fire. In April 2024, the automaker recalled nearly 43,000 of its Bronco Sports and Escapes SUVs because of this issue.

Ford decided to fix these faulty fuel systems with an engine control software update and a drain tube to send the leaked fuel away from the engine. But the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that this doesn’t fix the problem and raised significant safety concerns about the repair method.

Besides these five major safety defects, Ford owners have faced issues related to power steering,automatic transmission, headlights, and fuel lines. Whether the issue is major or minor, you need to get your defective vehicle repaired or replaced to stay safe on the road.

What Happens If My Ford Vehicle Is a Lemon?

It’s unsettling to think that a brand like Ford, which prides itself on reliability, lets safety defects like these slip through the cracks. Fortunately,California’s lemon law is on your side.

If you’ve bought a Ford that constantly has issues, you might be dealing with a lemon.

Typically, a vehicle qualifies for a claim under the lemon law if:

• The vehicle has/had a defect covered by the warranty, which substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety to a reasonable person in the consumer’s (your) specific situation; and
• The defect was reported to the manufacturer within the terms of the warranty; and
• The automaker, through its local authorized repair facility, fails to repair the defect despite several attempts (usually at least two); or
• The vehicle stays in the shop for more than 30 total days.
• The substantial defect was not a result of the consumer’s (your) unreasonable or unauthorized use.

When you first notice the problem, contact Ford or your local dealer immediately. Moreover,keep a record of everything, including your communication with the dealer. Document all repairs, including dates, what was fixed, and how long the car was in the shop.

This will be essential if you decide to pursue a lemon law claim.

Bought a Lemon?

Talk to Our Trusted Lemon Law Lawyers in CA

There is nothing more frustrating than ending up with a lemon, especially from a reputed brand like Ford. If you own a Ford, check for recalls regularly, and don’t ignore any warning signs from your vehicle. Your safety, and the safety of your passengers, depends on it.

If you think your Ford is a lemon, talk to one of our seasoned CA lemon law lawyers, who can help you seek appropriate damages. We’ll evaluate your case for free - no upfront costs, no hidden fees.

Call our office at 888-982-6915, email info@clineapc.com, or schedule a free consultation.