Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Recalled for Fire Risk
The automaker says to park these full-sized SUVs outside, away from structures, until repairs are done
2021 Ford Expedition
By Jon Linkov
with Jeff S. Bartlett
Ford Motor Company is recalling Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs from the 2021 model year because of the risk of fire in the engine compartment. The original recall involved about 40,000 vehicles, but Ford has expanded it to include a total of 66,221 Expedition and Navigator SUVs. Owners of the two vehicles included in the recall should park them outside and away from any structure until the recall is performed.
A Ford spokesman told Consumer Reports that “customers with unique circumstances that could prevent them from following these recall instructions should contact their dealer, Ford Customer Relationship Center, or Lincoln Concierge.”
To address the fire risk, dealers will inspect the battery junction box and replace related components as needed, depending on the model and wattage of its cooling fan system. A third of the affected vehicles use an 800-watt cooling fan system and can be fixed now. The others use a 700-watt system; parts to repair those models will be available in September. Ford will notify owners accordingly, although owners can check with Ford customer service (866-436-7332) or their local dealership to see which group they are in.
When the recall was initially announced in May, Ford had not yet identified a cause for the fires and does not have a remedy.
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened an investigation on March 24, 2022, after eight reports of underhood engine fires and one report of a melted battery junction box on 2021 Expeditions. Of those initial eight fire allegations, six occurred when the vehicles were parked and shut off, and the other two occurred while driving.
As of May 12, CRGG was aware of 16 related reports of underhood fires. In total, 12 events occurred while the vehicles were parked and shut off, one when the vehicle was parked and turned on, and three when the vehicles were being driven. In those three cases customers reported a burning smell and smoke from the engine compartment. Since then, Ford has received reports of 21 underhood fires.
Ford says it is aware of one potential injury related to the problem. And Ford has not issued instructions to stop driving vehicles under this recall and is not aware of any accidents related to this issue.
Recall Details
Vehicles recalled: 66,221 Expedition and Navigator SUVs in the U.S. built between July 27, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021.
The problem: Printed circuit boards underhood that are uniquely susceptible to a high-current short.
The fix: Dealerships will first inspect the battery junction box for melting damage, and if so, will replace the entire component. They will then remove the engine fan ground wire from the battery junction box in affected vehicles with an 800-watt cooling fan system, which represents about one-third of the recalled vehicle population. This repair can be done immediately. For the remaining affected vehicles with a 700-watt cooling fan system, the repair is the same, except for the installation of an auxiliary box with a wire jumper.
How to contact the manufacturer: Owners of affected vehicles may call Ford at 866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign number: 22V346. Ford’s number for the recall is 22S36.
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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