Ford Recalls Explorers, Aviators, E-Series Vans

Ford Motor Co. has issued recalls for more than 34,000 vehicles over a variety of safety issues.

Ford is recalling some 33,000 E-series vans because of a defect that could cause engine covers to become too hot, the company recently announced.

“Affected vehicles may contain mispositioned insulation on the underside of the engine cover that does not fully extend to the perimeter, as intended,” Ford said in a statement on its website. “As a result, heat from the engine compartment can cause elevated temperatures on the passenger compartment surface of the engine cover.”

The problem could cause burn injuries, according to the company.

“Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of the surface of the engine cover in the passenger compartment may cause burns to the skin of the driver or front passenger,” Ford said.

The recall covers vans built at Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant from May 2019, to November 2020. The company said owners of recalled vehicles can bring them to local dealers for repairs, including new insulation patches.

The company announced at the same time that it is also recalling a limited number of Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators, citing potential power loss. Ford said loose motor mount fasteners could disconnect from the engine.

The recall covers less than 1,500 vehicles from the model year 2020-2021.

Legal Rights for California Car Owners

The Ford recalls are another example of an unfortunately common situation: Major car companies regularly recall a wide range of vehicles because of defects that put people’s safety at risk.

The good news for car owners and lessors in California is that the state’s lemon law offers some important protections.

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires car manufacturers to repair vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces a manufacturer to buy back any covered vehicles that the company is unwilling or unable to fix. The manufacturer can offer instead to replace the vehicle, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept or reject that offer.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must be made before the buyback or replace obligation kicks in. That is why it is important to consult a seasoned lemon law attorney.

How an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney Can Help

If you are a California car owner with a defective vehicle, it is important that you consult an experienced lawyer to consider your rights and options.

Orange County lemon law attorney Brian Bickel and his team at Bickel Sannipoli APC have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. Our lawyers work aggressively to resolve these cases for the people that we represent, guiding them through the legal process every step of the way.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney.