For many years, Ford has been a consistent automaker in the United States. It successfully managed to expand its business all over the world. Throughout the years, Ford has become well-known for its diverse range of car models.
These also include sedans like the Taurus and Fiesta, but also other muscle cars like the Mustang. Besides, Ford is also known for its range of SUVs, like the Bronco, Expedition, and Explorer. Not to mention that the F-series pickup trucks are wildly popular in the market. As many regard Ford cars as highly reliable, there can be certain issues, too. Here are some of the reasons why you should avoid getting a Ford:
Some Ford cars might have detached steering gear motors.
This problem highly affected the 2013 and 2016 models of the Fusion, but also the 2015 and 2016 models of Edge. As a copy of the recall acknowledgement stated, exposure to road salts and various other contaminants could cause corrosion of the bolts in the car’s electric power steering gear motor.
When this happens, the steering gear motor could easily detach from the gear housing. This would also lead to a sudden loss of power steering assistance. Given this, it might require a lot more effort to steer the vehicle when trying to control it.
Some Ford cars have a speed control deactivation switch that can easily overheat or burn.
The issue set the stage for a recall involving many other models of the Bronco, Expedition, and F-150, as well as the F-250. Ford initiated its investigation into the matter back in September 2004 after getting many reports of underhood fires.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also initiated its own investigation in December 2004. Later on, they learned that brake fluid could ultimately leak into even the speed control deactivation switch and into the speed control electrical components.
In some instances, the leak can also lead to corrosion. This type of speed control deactivation switch is prone to overheating, which could cause a fire.
Some Ford cars might roll away unexpectedly.
A copy of the manufacturer’s notice showed that the bushing at the transmission end of the shifter cable on the affected cars could be missing or even damaged. Given this, it’s highly possible that the shifter would not completely move the transmission to the proper gear position.
That’s why the shifter could indicate that the car is in park, even if the transmission has long lost its park function. This could also cause the car to roll away. According to the NHTSA records, a recall was initially issued about all the Fusion model issues between 2013 and 2016, but also about the 2013 and 2014 Escape models.
Some Ford cars could have doors that can open while being driven.
This issue was discovered in many year models of the C-Max, Escape, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion Mustang, but also Transit Connect. According to an early press release, it’s highly possible that the affected cars might have had latch pawl spring tabs in their door latches, which could easily crack.
When pawl spring tabs are fractured, the affected vehicles experience a “door won’t close” condition. Moreover, if the door latches after a couple of shutting attempts, there is a high chance of it unlatching when the car is being driven. This could ultimately result in serious injuries.
Some Ford cars could experience engine shutdowns.
This issue is believed to affect specifically the 2011–2015 models of the F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks with ambulance and Fire Engine Prep packages. It was established that the exhaust gas temperature sensors in that particular package might be faulty.
Hence, it could wrongly indicate that the temperature is way too hot and activate the Failure Mode Effects Management mode. When it happens, the engine might shut down unexpectedly. Besides, the car could also fail to restart. According to one of their press releases, Ford isn’t aware of any kind of injury of this sort.
Some Ford cars have airbags that deploy without warning.
The problem led to the recall of 2004–2006 F-150 trucks. Ford initially became aware of the issue in January 2006 after getting two reports of inadvertent airbag deployments on the driver side. It was also discovered that the issue is directly linked to the way the truck’s clockspring jumper wire was built during assembly.
To be more specific, it is oriented in a specific way that creates contact with the lower horn mounting plate. Given this, the wire insulation could fail and even short circuit. The airbag warning lamp might also activate, and if it’s ignored for too long, airbag deployment could ultimately occur.
Some Ford cars could experience inadvertent fuel pump failure.
This issue resulted in the recall of 2014 models of the Edge, Focus, Escape, Fiesta, and Focus, along with the 2014 to 2015 models of the Transit Connect. It was later discovered that the fuel pump in the affected vehicles might have suffered from improper nickel plating in some specific subcomponents.
This could ultimately to “excessive pump friction”, which could also cause the fuel pump to become inoperable. As a fuel pump is no longer working, the affected area could experience a no-start condition. In some cases, it’s even worse than that: the engine might stall while the affected vehicle is still being driven.
Some Ford cars might have faulty fuel lines that could ultimately cause a fire.
This problem has particularly led to a recall of the 2013 Escape. During the SUV’s production, it’s highly possible that the exterior surface of the engine compartment fuel line was mechanically scored. As a result, the fuel line might have split and caused a fuel leak in the vehicle.
If there’s a nearby ignition source, the fuel leak could also be the cause of it. According to a copy of the defect notice, Ford isn’t aware of any incidents that might have occurred as a result of this issue.
Some Ford cars also have faulty seat frames.
The issue was discovered among many other 2017 Ford models, such as the Explorer, F-150, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, and F-550 SD. In May 2017, Ford’s own Critical Concern Review Group reviewed a report about a possible weld failure in the manually operated seat back recliner mechanism.
Their own analysis discovered that both the recliner mechanism and seat back frame had inadequate welds. Given this, the seat backrest recliner in some affected cars could ultimately prove to be inoperative. Even worse, a copy of the field defect notice has also revealed that “sudden movement on one side” is also possible.
Some Ford cars could experience suspension fractures, which could even affect vehicle handling.
NHTSA records showed that this problem resulted in the recall of 2011 and 2017 models of the Explorer. It was also discovered that the rear suspension toe links could fracture, especially as a result of stress on the SUV’s rear suspension.
When the rear toe link fractures, the driver may experience less steering control over the vehicle. According to a press release, Ford wasn’t aware of any injuries that might have occurred as a result of such an issue. But the automaker received one report of an Explorer hitting a curb when the SUV’s toe link broke.
Since we’re at it, if you want to find out more about the history of Ford, we highly recommend you watch “Ford vs. Ferrari,“, with Matt Damon in the role of Caroll Shelby and Christian Bale as Ken Miles. It’s also based on a true story! If you’re eager to read other similar articles, you definitely need to try this: These Cars Last Half as Long as Regular Vehicles – Is Yours on the List?
