Statement: Ford recalls 39,000 SUVs because 16 have caught fire

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CLEVELAND — People and companies who own some 2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs should park outside, away from homes and other structures, according to a warning released Thursday by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). Lincoln is Ford’s luxury brand.

NHTSA says 32,711 Expeditions and 6,302 Navigators produced between Dec. 1, 2020 and Apr. 30, 2021 are subject to a recall because of the fire danger. Ford says of the 16 of these vehicles known to have caught fire, 12 were parked and off, one was parked and on and three were in motion. Ford is still trying “to determine the root cause of this issue and subsequent remedy.” 

Ford says it “is treating this recall with a high sense of urgency and will communicate to customers – via FordPass and Lincoln Way app and mail – as soon as it finalizes the list of owners and addresses within the recalled vehicle population.” According to NHTSA, Ford was expected to notify dealers Thursday and then mail notification letters to vehicle owners between May 23 and June 3, 2022.

In response, Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog with the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, said:

“Driving is a calculated risk that most Americans take every day. It’s dangerous enough with speeding; tired, distracted and drunk drivers; and roads in need of repair. We shouldn’t have to worry about our vehicle catching fire. And surely, we should expect that our vehicular risk ends when we’ve parked in our garage — and not have to worry that our idle SUV might set our house on fire.

“Kudos to NHTSA and Ford for getting the word out about this, but why did it take 16 vehicles catching fire to do so? That’s 15 fires that didn’t have to happen and 39,000 families that have been at unnecessary risk for who knows how long. Ford has an obligation to make this right ASAP. And when tens of thousands of Americans face potential danger, we need to know sooner.”

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Vehicle owners can visitNHTSA.gov/recallsand enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is under recall. NHTSA encourages everyone to download itsSaferCar appto stay informed about current recalls.

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