238,000 Ford Explorer cars recalled due to a defect that could lead to them overturning

Ford Motor Company is recalling about 238,000 Explorers due to a defect that poses a hazard to the SUV if the parking brake is not engaged.

The affected models have been discontinued from 2020 until 2022.

“The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may break and cause the drive shaft to separate,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. In a message To Ford on Thursday.

If the shaft, which is a rod that transmits power to the wheels and makes the car move, becomes separated, it could result in a loss of driving power or the car skidding if the parking brake is not applied, the letter said.

“Either of these scenarios could increase the risk of an accident,” wrote Alex Ansley, chief of the recall management division at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The folding parking risk was addressed through a software update in previous recalls,” a Ford spokeswoman said in a statement.

The difference with the latest recall is the remedy – Ford is now required to inspect all 230,000-plus vehicles. Previously, the car was only inspected if it had a breakdown and then the parts were replaced free of charge.

In a previous related recall, Ford was aware of 396 reports of rear axle bolt failures, less than 5 percent of which resulted in the vehicle rolling over or losing power, the release said.

Letters notifying owners of the latest recall are expected to be mailed on November 6. Drivers can also find out if their vehicle has been recalled by entering the vehicle identification number or the year and model of the vehicle. Ford website.

Ford said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the defect, according to what the agency reported documents.

Vehicle recalls have become more common in the United States over the past two decades or so, according to McKinsey & Company 2019 report.

In 2016, the US auto industry reached more than 1,000 vehicle recalls for the first time. In 2017, an average of three vehicles were recalled for every vehicle sold, according to the report.

In 2022, Ford recalled 2.9 million vehicles, including 1.7 million Ford Escape SUVs, due to a potential defect that could allow them to move even with the transmission apparently in park.

Last September, regulators indicated that 52 million airbag inflators used by dozens of automakers were vulnerable to rupture.

Since 2015, recalls have typically been related to airbags, McKinsey reports. However, as vehicles are made with more complex features, there has been an increase in recalls due to software and electronic issues.