- Ford is recalling 288,314 Explorer SUVs as a result of their roof rails could detach.
- Ford has beforehand repaired a few of the affected automobiles.
- Technicians might need incorrectly fastened the affected automobiles beneath earlier restore makes an attempt.
Ford has issued its 57th recall of the yr. This time, it is for 288,314 SUVs with roof rail covers that may detach.
The recall impacts sure 2016-2019 Explorer SUVs, a few of which Ford beforehand repaired. The automobiles beforehand fastened obtained “technician-sensitive” repairs, which principally blames techs for incorrectly repairing automobiles.
In keeping with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration’s (NHTSA) recall report, in some situations, technicians could not have changed broken retention clips, or they utilized the wrong amount of epoxy/adhesive to the fallacious places with improper curing situations.
The recall consists of Explorers with satin- and chrome-plated covers, in addition to painted ones. SUVs affected by this concern could expertise elevated wind noise, squeaks, and rattles as the quilt begins to loosen. A visual hole or misalignment between the quilt and roofline can also seem.
Ford will instruct sellers to examine the roof rail covers and substitute any damaged roof rail clips or broken covers. If the push-pin fasteners are usually not current, Ford sellers will add them. The automaker is conscious of 1 alleged accident associated to a roof rail detaching.
Photograph by: Ford
The Recall Timeline
Ford first realized of a possible concern in 2020, and it started providing a one-time restore for unfastened roof rail covers beneath an prolonged guarantee. The guarantee restore used a two-part epoxy/adhesive to safe the covers.
It was not till April 2021 that the automaker issued a recall for sure 2016-2019 Explorer SUVs after NHTSA approached Ford to debate the subject. A evaluation of up to date subject knowledge revealed an elevated charge of unfastened and rattling painted roof rail covers, prompting Ford to approve the protection recall.
To repair the recall, Ford instructed sellers to restore the covers by changing broken elements and securing them with 4 plastic push-pin fasteners. The unique recall excluded stain- and chrome-plated covers as a result of guarantee knowledge confirmed “a considerably decrease charge of detachment and unfastened/rattling claims.”
Projections indicated no development towards the difficulty rising over time. The automaker additionally had knowledge that confirmed these plated covers “had elevated retention power and have been much less inclined to photo voltaic loading, which was a contributing issue to the unfastened/indifferent situation.”
In March 2026, NHTSA’s Workplace of Defects Investigation knowledgeable Ford of 46 Car Proprietor Questionnaires that contained allegations of unfastened, rattling, and detaching roof rails on 2016-2019 Explorers. This included automobiles that had been repaired beneath the prolonged guarantee and recall fixes.
Ford opened an investigation, and between April and June, the automaker uncovered that the Explorers fastened with the epoxy/adhesive or that haven’t been repaired in any respect nonetheless skilled degraded retention. Automobiles repaired with push-pin fasteners are usually not exhibiting the difficulty.
Motor1’s Take: A few of Ford’s newest remembers are for fashions which are a number of years outdated. The automaker’s latest give attention to high quality has it reevaluating points on older fashions, just like the previous-generation Ford Explorer.
