Fire Risk Prompts New Ford Mustang Recall

Ford Motor Co. is calling back more than 8,100 new Mustangs, citing fire risks.

The manual-transmission cars’ clutch pressure lines could melt after contacting hot exhaust parts, Ford recently told federal vehicle safety regulators. That, in turn, could cause them to leak brake fluid.

Drivers will not notice a change in brake functioning, according to the company, but they may have trouble switching gears. Or worse. 

“If leaked brake fluid accumulates near a sufficiently hot surface, customers may observe smoke and experience an underhood fire,” Ford said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

The recall covers certain 2024 Mustangs, which were produced between September 2022 and May 2024.

Ford plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles via mail by the end of June, the company told NHTSA. Owners can also check the NHTSA website to see if their cars are covered by the recall. 

Ford will ask owners of recalled cars to bring the vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection and repair.

The move comes just months after Ford recalled another batch of Mustangs over a different fire risk stemming from fuel line leaks. The company blamed a supplier, which it said may have damaged low-pressure fuel lines during the manufacturing process.

That recall covers fewer than 400 cars, but it is only one of several examples of the serious safety issues facing Ford and anyone who gets in its cars.

The company has issued more safety recalls in the U.S. than any other auto manufacturer for three straight years. The 58 recalls announced by Ford last year accounted for about 16% of all recalls nationwide, according to NHTSA. The tally is also about 30% more than the 45 recalls by Chrysler, the second-most called back brand last year.

NHTSA in early April launched an investigation into complaints of engine failure in certain Bronco sport utility vehicles. Later that month, the agency told Ford it has “significant concerns” about whether the company has properly addressed yet another defect posing fire risks in a wide range of SUVs. 

How California's Lemon Law Works

California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. The good news is that you do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.

The lemon law, officially known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix. That includes covering the purchase price, financing fees and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney.