Ford Recalls More Than 260,000 Pickup Trucks
» Posted January 20, 2020 • Resources | Share This Post
Tailgates are probably not the first thing that pickup truck buyers look at when deciding on a vehicle, but a new Ford recall shows how important it is that they be in good, working order.
Ford is recalling some 262,000 pickups because of a defect that could cause tailgates to open unexpectedly. That could mean trouble for others on the road.
“On your vehicle, water entry into the electrical system could cause the tailgate to unlatch and possibly open while the vehicle is being driven or is stationary,” Ford said in a recent notice to owners of recalled trucks. “An unintended tailgate opening may result in damage to the tailgate and/or allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.”
The recall covers Ford F-250, F-350 and F-450 pickup trucks from model years 2017-2019. The company is asking owners to bring their vehicles in for inspection repair at a nearby dealership.
Ford says it is not aware of any accidents caused as a result of the tailgate problem.
Safety Risks, Legal Protections
This is not the first time that Ford has had to take another look at cars because of safety concerns.
The company announced last year that it was recalling 1.5 million Focus vehicles because of a fuel tank issue that could cause the cars to stall. The vast majority of those vehicles were sold in the United States.
For car owners in California, the state lemon law offers some important legal protections. It requires a car maker to perform certain repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also obligates the manufacturer to buy back or replace the vehicle in the event that the manufacturer is not able or is unwilling to fix the car.
There is no set number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement obligation kicks in. That is why it is important for car owners to consult a seasoned California lemon law attorney. The law requires a manufacturer to pay any legal fees a car owner incurs enforcing his or her rights.
Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney Today
If you are a California car owner who has been stuck with a lemon, there are certain steps that you need to take to ensure that you are covered by the state law. The California lemon law lawyers at the Bickel Law Firm can help.
We have decades of combined legal experience, representing hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights and options under the law.
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 California lemon law attorney.
