Ford Recalls 85,000 Police SUVs: Fire Risk Plagues Explorer Interceptors
Ford Recalls 85,000 Police Vehicles Amid Quality Concerns
Ford Motor Company announced on Friday the recall of approximately 85,000 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, marking the latest in a series of recalls that have impacted millions of cars and trucks this month alone. The automotive giant continues to grapple with quality issues affecting its product line.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a memo detailing the recall, which affects 2020-2022 Ford Explorers equipped with the Police Interceptor Utility Package. The vehicles are at risk of engine oil and fuel vapor accumulating near ignition sources, potentially leading to engine compartment fires.
As of July 9, Ford has received 13 reports of “under hood fires” in North America resulting from engine block breaches. However, no accidents or injuries related to the issue have been reported. Neither Ford nor NHTSA representatives were immediately available for comment.
This recall is part of a broader pattern of quality issues plaguing Ford this year. Despite reporting $1.8 billion in net income during the second fiscal quarter, the company’s profits have been impacted by increased warranty reserves. Ford incurred $2.3 billion in warranty and recall costs during the second quarter alone.
The company has initiated several recalls since the beginning of the year, including over 2 million Explorer SUVs in January due to trim-retention clips, more than half a million 2014 Model F-150 pickup trucks in June for sudden gear shifts, and a recall of the 2024 Ford Mustang over steering wheel concerns. Additionally, Ford issued a “Do Not Drive” warning for over 374,000 vehicles with unrepaired Takata airbags.
In response to these challenges, Ford Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra outlined steps to improve quality and profitability. Galhotra noted “green shoots of quality improvement” in new-product launches and identified $2 billion in cost reductions across materials, freight, and manufacturing.
As Ford continues to navigate these quality concerns, the company emphasizes its ongoing efforts to enhance product reliability and reduce costs, aiming to regain consumer confidence and stabilize its market position.
