Quick News About Ford Problems

We try to boil down the news about Ford to the most important bits and pieces -- recalls, service bulletins, and lawsuits that can help you solve you car problems. Oh, and the occasional interesting story as well. If you're interested in getting these quick story summaries as an email, signup for free over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core.

    The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot. It’s also a great place to trap moisture and encourage corrosion. The end result? A lug nut that’s either too big for a standard wrench or fused so tight you need a drill, welding torch, and 7 Hail Marys to remove it.

    A 2017 class-action lawsuit accused Ford of cost-cutting when switching to the two-piece design. It also said the automaker is aware of the problems, but won’t honor its warranty by denying any lug nut related claims.…

    keep reading article "The Swollen Lug Nuts Lawsuit Against Ford Has Been Dismissed"

  5. 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"

  6. 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"

  7. An investigation is being opened into why electric tailgates are opening on their own in 2017 Ford Super Duty trucks.

    The F-250 and F-350 trucks are equipped with electronic tailgates that can be opened with the key fobs, but five owners filed complaints saying the tailgates opened without warning and uncommanded.

    In TSB #17-2196, Ford told its dealers that water could get into a wiring harness and cause “uncommanded tailgate openings” in Super Duty trucks. If the tailgate is down while driving, all the jostling can cause extensive damage.

    Besides, no-one likes getting caught with their tailgate down.

    keep reading article "Electric Tailgates Opening on Their Own? Investigation Targets 2017 Super Duty Trucks"

  8. Leaky master cylinders are causing a sudden loss of pressure in the F-150’s braking system.

    Brakes really thrive under pressure, it’s what pushes the pads against the rotors and keeps your brake pedal from falling to the floor. You know, little stuff like that. In a twist, it’s Ford that finds themselves under pressure from a California lawsuit looking for an expansion of a previous master cylinder recall.…

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Ford Should Expand a Previous F-150 Master Cylinder Recall"

  9. 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"

  10. Anyone out there having trouble slowing their truck down?

    There’s a lawsuit that says a change to the F-150’s master cylinder design is creating a dangerous braking situation.

    All 2013-2018 Ford F-150s use master cylinders supplied by Hitachi, with the pistons fitted with just a single cup seal responsible for containing pressurized brake fluid. The lawsuit alleges this is unusual because pistons within master cylinders are usually fitted with two cup seals to ensure that fluid does not leak out of the master cylinders.

    These single-seal master cylinders have already been recalled for the 2013 and 2014 model years. But instead of changing the design, Ford replaced the defective part with – I bet you can see where this is going – new defective parts.

    keep reading article "The F-150's Single-Seal Master Cylinder Design is Doomed to Fail"

  11. 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"

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