Ford, Lincoln Cite Possible Engine Fires in New Car Recall

Ford Motor Co. has some hot news to share with some of its car owners. Unfortunately, it is no laughing matter.

Ford and Lincoln are recalling some 18,000 sport utility vehicles over the risk of engine fires if the cars are involved in crashes. A fuel filler pipe vapor line connector defect is to blame for the safety hazard, Ford recently told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The fuel filler hose could potentially become detached…and a malfunction indicator lamp may not be activated,” Ford said in a notice to dealers. “If the fuel filler hose becomes detached during a crash, a fuel leak may occur.”

The recall covers certain 2022 Ford Explorers and 2022 Lincoln Aviators, both of which were built between early December 2021 and early January 2022.

“The vapor line connects to the fuel filler tube, which vents the tank gasses,” Renita Nairaine explains for Driving. “The problem stems from a supplier-built connector that did not meet engineering standards — the dimensions of the annular surface of the end form, ‘critical to holding the mating clip in place,’ were out of print.”

Ford said it would notify the owners of recalled cars by early April. The company will ask owners to bring their vehicles to a local dealership for inspection and repair, free of charge.

This is far from the first time that Ford has had to recall vehicles over serious defects that put people’s safety at risk.

The company said late last year it was recalling some 185,000 F-150 pickup trucks. The vehicles’ malfunctioning insulators could damage driveshafts and cause drivers to lose control or driving power, Ford said at the time.

More recently, federal regulators said some 300,000 Ford pickup trucks that were recalled over faulty tailgates may not have actually been fixed.

There is some good news for Ford, Lincoln and other car owners in California. The state’s lemon law offers some valuable rights and protections.

The law generally requires carmakers to perform a wide variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also requires automobile manufacturers to buy back - or replace, in certain situations - vehicles that the companies are unable or refuse to properly fix. That includes compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, along with financing costs and other related expenses like rental cars and towing.

There is no particular number of repair attempts or requests that must be made before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. A seasoned California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and weigh your options for taking action.

Speak with a San Diego Lemon Law Attorney

If you are stuck with a lemon or locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over repairs, the San Diego lemon law attorneys at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. 

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