USA - Ford issues two seperate recalls, for various reasons amounting to 10,000 Units

Ford Motor Company is issuing two safety recalls in North America. Details are as follows:

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles to inspect and install a fuel tank strap reinforcement

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 8,000 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles to inspect and install a fuel tank strap reinforcement. 

In the affected vehicles, over time, a missing reinforcement could lead to a fuel tank strap separating from the frame, resulting in the fuel tank moving out of position and potentially contacting the ground, increasing the risk of a fuel leak. 

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant, Aug. 10, 2016 to Sept. 17, 2016.

There are approximately 8,069 vehicles affected, including 7,103 in the United States, 964 in Canada and two in federalized territories. The Ford reference number for this recall is 16S45.

Dealers will inspect for the presence of a reinforcement bracket on the No. 3 crossmember at the front fuel tank strap attachment location. If no reinforcement bracket is found, the dealer will install one at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-17 Ford Flex, 2017 Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility and 2016-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles with 3.5-liter GTDI engines to inspect and replace leaking turbocharger oil supply tubes

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 1,300 2016 Ford Taurus, 2016-17 Flex, 2017 Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility and 2016-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles with 3.5-liter GTDI engines to inspect and replace leaking turbocharger oil supply tubes. In the affected vehicles, improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak engine oil on the turbocharger and surrounding components. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain:

• 2016 Ford Taurus vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 2, 2016
• 2016-17 Ford Flex vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 10, 2016
• 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Oct. 15, 2016 to Nov. 12, 2016
• 2017 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant on Nov. 2, 2016
• 2016-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 10, 2016

There are approximately 1,352 vehicles affected, including 1,157 in the United States, 126 in Canada and six in federalized territories. The Ford reference number for this recall is 16S46.

Dealers will inspect and replace as necessary right-hand and left-hand turbocharger oil supply tubes at no cost to the customer.

USA - Ford introduces the new Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights, meaning no roof fixings, and even more undetectable.

• New Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights for the Ford Police Interceptor Utility flash bright red, blue or amber to provide clear and direct communication to drivers of an emergency response situation
• Feature enables agencies to run “slick top” – meaning no roof-mounted light bar is visible and the vehicle can maintain full front and rear lighting capability
• Fully programmable front and rear lights offer a wide range of illumination

Ford police vehicles just went deeper undercover.

Ford is debuting Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights to complement the “no-profile” Front Interior Visor Light Bar on Police Interceptor Utility. 

The feature integrates bright LED lighting into the vehicle’s rear spoiler, providing law enforcement with a highly effective tool to alert drivers of emergency roadside situations while affording officers full visibility out the rear window. 

When deactivated, the lighting is difficult to detect for someone approaching the vehicle from the rear.

 “Aftermarket light bars can impede visibility by hanging down over the glass,” said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager. “Our fully programmable Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights are integrated into the spoiler, so agencies get their bright red, blue and amber LEDs with no compromise to rear visibility.”

Aftermarket products mount inside or outside the glass then extend into the rear window – impeding visibility. Ford’s warning lights free up that space for unimpeded rearward vision. 

The option complements Ford’s “no-profile” Front Interior Visor Light Bar, a covert feature that provides a similar improvement in forward vision over aftermarket options.

When activated, the new warning lights flash alternating bright red and blue bars in the rear spoiler; they can also be programmed for red/red, blue/blue or amber operation, providing drivers with directional signaling information. An auto-dimming capability can be programmed from full intensity down to 20 percent.

“Together with our front visor light bar, Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights offer a fully integrated solution for agencies wishing to minimize the presence of their police vehicles,” said Arie Groeneveld, chief program engineer, Ford police programs. “While signaling to drivers of an upcoming emergency situation, it constitutes a clear safety benefit for officers and the public.”

The feature can be ordered now for the 2017 Police Interceptor Utility. As with all Ford-provided police vehicle options, Rear Spoiler Traffic Warning Lights come with a limited factory warranty.