Phantom Brake Lights, Rollaway Risk Spark New Ford Recall
» Posted February 4, 2022 • Resources | Share This Post
Ford is calling back some 200,000 vehicles over two serious problems: faulty brake lights and a defect that could cause cars to roll away unintentionally.
The issues are the result of malfunctioning brake pedal stop bumpers, Ford recently told federal regulators. The company said the bumpers are particularly susceptible to wear and tear in Hawaii and southern coastal states.
The first problem is that brake lights may be illuminated when the brakes are not being applied, “causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash.”
“Field data indicates that the stop bumper on some vehicles may be disintegrating and falling off in certain high temperature, high humidity, and high salinity environments after several years in service,” Ford said in a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “A missing brake pedal stop bumper will result in the brake stop lamps remaining on continuously, even when the brake pedal is not applied.”
Perhaps more significantly, drivers may be able to shift recalled vehicles out of park without depressing the brake. That means cars could potentially roll away, also increasing the risk of a crash.
“If the brake pedal bumper is missing on automatic transmission vehicles, the engine can be started and the transmission can shift out of park without depressing the brake pedal.”
The recall covers certain 2014-2015 Ford Fusion midsize sedans, 2015 Lincoln MKZ sedans, and 2015 Ford Mustangs.
Ford told NHTSA it plans to notify owners of recalled cars in early March. It will ask owners to bring their cars to local dealers to have brake pedals and bumpers replaced.
How the California Lemon Law Protects Car Owners
This is not Ford’s first rodeo when it comes to recalling cars over serious safety issues.
The company announced late last year that it was recalling roughly 185,000 F-150 pickups. The vehicles are equipped with malfunctioning insulators that could damage driveshafts, and cause drivers to lose control or driving power, the company said at the time.
Fortunately, Ford owners in California do not need to wait for a recall in order to have malfunctioning vehicles fixed. The state’s lemon law gives you the power to take action. A San Diego lemon law attorney at our firm can help you understand your rights and options.
The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires automakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also forces manufacturers to buy back vehicles that they cannot or will not fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, financing fees, and other related expenses.
Talk 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.
