Ford Recalls F-150 Trucks Over Driveshift Issue
» Posted January 7, 2022 • Resources | Share This Post
Some Ford F-150 pickup owners will soon be asked to bring their trucks in to fix a defect that could put everyone on the road at risk.
Ford is recalling some 185,000 F-150 pickups, the company recently told federal regulators. Those vehicles are equipped with malfunctioning insulators that could damage driveshafts and cause drivers to lose control or driving power.
“A fractured driveshaft increases the risk of injury or crash,” Ford said in a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall covers certain 2021 and 2022 model F-150 pickups.
Ford said it would begin notifying owners of recalled vehicles on Jan. 31 and ask them to bring their trucks to a local dealer for a fix. In the meantime, it described some possible warning signs that insulators are malfunctioning.
“Operators may observe a loose underbody insulator, or they may hear a rattling, clicking or clunking noise due to a loose underbody insulator contacting the driveshaft,” Ford said in the NHTSA filing. “Marking or scoring of the driveshaft may be visible in the area of underbody insulator contact.”
Safety Concerns for Ford Owners
Recalls like this are unfortunately common for Ford and other major vehicle manufacturers.
Millions of vehicles around the world are called back each year, with manufacturers citing a wide range of defects that put drivers and passengers at risk. These recalls are regularly announced long after cars leave factory floors and are sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Ford announced in August that it was recalling some 36,000 Lincoln Aviator sport utility vehicles because of a defect that could cause fires. The same month, Ford recalled some 775,000 Explorer SUVs over a steering defect that it said could cause drivers to lose control of the vehicles.
The good news for car owners and lessors in California is that the state’s lemon law offers some valuable rights and protections.
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires car manufacturers to perform a full slate of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to buy back cars that they cannot or refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, monthly payments and other related expenses.
Although a manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle, it is the owner’s choice to accept or reject this alternative arrangement. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your options.
Speak with a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney
If you are stuck in a dispute with a carmaker over a malfunctioning or defective vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. We work aggressively on behalf of clients across the state to fight back against defective vehicle manufacturers.
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 a Los Angeles lemon law attorney today.
