How to Maintain 2023 Recall Leader Status with Secure A-Pillar Trim: Driving Safety Tips
As of January 24th, Ford has already announced almost one-third of the total number of recalls from last year. This is significant considering that Ford held the top spot for the most recalls among automakers in 2023. In 2019, a whopping 58 recalls were put into effect, impacting 6.1 million vehicles from the Blue Oval brand in the United States alone. Now, another 1.8 million Explorers in the US are affected by a potential issue with the trim pieces detaching while the vehicle is in motion.
According to Automotive News, the number of vehicles affected by recall number 24V-031 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) amounts to 2.2 million globally. This significant figure is a result of a seemingly minor problem. The NHTSA states that the issue, which is present in Explorers spanning from 2011 to 2019, is caused by the improper assembly or repair of the exterior A-pillar applique trim clip attachments. As stated in the recall, these clips may not be properly engaged, potentially causing the trim piece to detach while in motion.
According to Ford, no accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of this issue. However, there are numerous incident reports that have come to light. After examining a timeline report on the product recall, Ford has found 568 Vehicle Online Questionnaire reports and 14,337 warranty reports of the A-pillar trim on the exterior of the vehicle becoming detached or disappearing.
According to the report, Ford conducted their own investigation in 2018 at the request of the NHTSA. Interestingly, the findings concluded that the issue did not pose a significant safety risk due to the lightweight and shape of the part, which aligned with the NHTSA’s assessment. However, in February 2023, the NHTSA launched their own preliminary investigation into the matter and ultimately determined that the possibility of plastic parts detaching from a vehicle could indeed pose a danger to other drivers on the road.
A representative from Ford has reached out via email to Motor1 regarding the recall, and provided the following statement:
Thankfully, resolving this issue is a relatively straightforward process. Ford retailers will examine the A-pillar trim of the Explorer and fix or replace it if it is not properly secured. Notifications will be sent out to owners starting in March, but individuals with worries can contact Ford’s customer service line at 1-866-436-7332 and mention Ford recall 24S02 for further details.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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