Ford Issues Recall of SUVs Over Sudden Brake Malfunction
Picture the scary thought of your car brakes suddenly failing on the highway. Ford is urging some Expedition and Navigator owners to get their SUVs checked because a small brake part could break, causing you to lose power to help stop. It’s a serious safety concern, so pay attention to Ford’s advice.
Which Automobiles Are Involved?
Some Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models manufactured in 2022–2024 are subject to the recall. The problem is that the engine air cleaner outlet pipe may come into contact with the front brake lines. The brake lines may deteriorate and leak brake fluid as a result of this contact over time.
Ford states the issue is with a very small electrical component, known as a capacitor, within the electronic brake booster. They explained that “a cracked capacitor in the electronic brake booster may cause an intermittent or permanent loss of power-assisted braking.”
Why This is a Big Deal
Losing the power to help you brake isn’t just annoying; it can be really dangerous. Ford themselves warned that “loss of power-assisted braking can increase stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.” Thankfully, they’ve only heard of one accident related to this issue so far, and no one was hurt. But even one potential accident is enough to take this seriously.
Watch Out for These Warning Signs
Your SUV might give you a heads-up if something is wrong before the brakes completely fail. Ford mentioned that drivers might hear a warning sound (a chime) and see a message pop up on the dashboard that says “Brake System Failure. Service Now.” If you see this message, don’t ignore it! It could mean your brake system is having trouble.
The Good News: There’s a Fix!
Luckily, Ford has come up with a way to fix this problem. It’s a software update for your SUV’s computer. This new software will constantly watch that little capacitor in the brake booster. If it starts to see any signs of trouble, it will warn you with a message. Even better, if the brake booster does fail completely, the software will switch to the regular, non-powered brakes. You’ll have to press harder on the pedal to stop, but at least you’ll still have brakes.
What You Need to Do
Ford will be sending letters to all the owners of the affected vehicles. These letters will tell you to take your SUV to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to get the free software update. If you happen to see that “Brake System Failure” warning on your dashboard before you get the letter, Ford urges you to book a service appointment right away.
This whole situation shows us how complex modern cars are, with lots of tiny electronic parts doing important jobs. While car companies try their best to build safe vehicles, sometimes things can go wrong. When they do, it’s good to see them taking quick action like this recall to keep everyone safe on the road. If you own one of these SUVs, keep an eye out for that letter from Ford and get the update as soon as you can – it’s all about peace of mind and staying safe.
