Related News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Ford has recalled over 874,000 F-Series trucks with engine block heaters that can start a fire when plugged into the wall.

    The automaker believes a low and unshielded mounting position is allowing road salt to corrode the heater cable’s splice connector, causing at least three known fires.

    Block heaters are made for cold climates. Road salt is too. I'm not sure how those blockheads forgot to shield those cables in the first place.

    keep reading article "Engine Block Heaters Recaled for Starting Fires in F-Series Trucks"
  2. Ford announced they’ll soon be recalling more Focus cars to prevent clutch fractures that can lead to fires.

    They say the cars can experience clutch slips that cause elevated temperatures that damage the clutch plates. This may cause the transmission housings and clutch covers to leak transmission fluid.

    Ford knew about the clutch plate fractures and the threat of fires as evidenced by a previous recall. But it wasn’t until European models with the same B6 transmission started to go up in smoke that Ford decided to expand its previous recall … I guess we could call it, effort?…

    keep reading article "Clutch Recall Expanded to Prevent Fires in Ford Focus"
  3. Ford’s $450,000 supercar is at risk of becoming the world’s most expensive bonfire.

    The automaker says no crashes or injuries have been reported, but one fire was caused by hydraulic fluid that leaked from the valve block assembly. The leaking fluid made contact with hot exhaust parts and caused the fire.

    The recalled 2017-2018 GTs were built between 12/20/2016 and 07/31/2018.

    keep reading article "GT Recalled to Prevent World’s Most Expensive Bonfire"
  4. Ford has issued a small but important electrical recall for 87 vehicles with improperly secured power supply cables.

    The cables are at the starters and alternators and the unsecured connections could cause electrical arcs. Those arcs could easily start fires.

    There are so many recalls these days that it’s no longer shocking when brand new vehicles get called back for repairs. But it really makes you wonder wire these automakers can’t get their act together.

    Puns aside, find out if your vehicle is affected here. It only takes a minute, so watt are you waiting for?

    keep reading article "Unsecured Connections Are Causing Electrical Arcs in Newer Ford Models"
  5. Of all the things that can start a fire in your truck, I’m guessing you were never really worried about the seat belts.

    Well, guess what? Following a lengthy investigation into the seat belt pretensioner system in the 2015-2018 F-150, Ford has decided to recall 2 million trucks that are catching on fire after a crash.

    Between April and October 2017, Ford knew of four reports of localized interior fires that occurred on 2015-2016 F-150s after the seat belt pretensioners deployed. An investigation on the four trucks was opened that focused on the front seat belt pretensioners (both retractor and lap anchor), electrical wiring, insulation and carpeting.

    Pretensioners use a small explosive charge to lock the seat belt in place during an accident. Except, the F-150’s charges aren’t small and have been producing “excessive sparks” that smolder on interior panels and sometimes start a fire.

    The recall covers both the Regular and SuperCrew Cabs.

    keep reading article "Millions of F-150s Recalled Because Their Seat Belts Are Starting Fires After Crashes"
  6. The engine block heaters in the 2016 Explorer are taking "warming up the car" to a whole new level ... by setting the engines on fire.

    Ford Says a "bad combination of the engine block and heater can cause the heater to catch on fire, something that has occurred at least two times in Canada. Fortunately the fires didn't cause any accidents or injuries.

    Ford didn't say when the recall will begin.

    keep reading article "Explorer Engine Block Heaters Are Taking Things Too Far"
  7. First, Ford said to stop driving your Escape until it could get repaired. Now they're saying that "repair" probably didn't work.

    Ford is recalling 9,500 Escapes because a previous recall might not have fixed the problem. The affected vehicles were manufactured from October 5, 2011, through July 11, 2012. Ford says the engine compartment fuel line may have been installed incorrectly when repaired under the prior recall. The placement of the fuel line could cause irritation to the line and cause it to leak.

    All affected vehicles, repaired or otherwise, need to be inspected.

    keep reading article "Chestnuts Still Roasting on an EcoBoost Fire"
  8. It's never a good sign when an automaker tells you to stop driving your vehicle immediately.

    Ford said the engine compartment fuel line could split and leak fuel, which could cause the SUV to go up in smoke. The affected vehicles are equipped with the 1.6L EcoBoost engine and total about 11,500 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.

    Ford is so concerned about these fires they don't even want you driving to the dealership for repairs. Instead, they'll arrange to have your Escape towed. Seriously.

    keep reading article "Ford to 2013 Escape Owners: Stop Driving, Immediately."