SAN FRANCISCO — The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration is investigating a Ford recall of greater than a quarter-million Explorer SUVs within the U.S. after receiving complaints about repairs supposed to forestall the autos from unexpectedly rolling away even whereas positioned in park.
The issue, ascribed to fractures of a rear axle mounting bolt that would lead the drive shaft to disconnect, was addressed by a Ford software program replace designed to use the digital parking brake if the drive shaft failed, the company stated. However in line with two complaints from car homeowners, their SUVs behaved erratically following the restore.
In a kind of circumstances, the Explorer would reportedly slam to an entire cease at speeds of as much as 30 or 40 miles per hour. Within the different, it might reportedly lurch into movement whereas the motive force was making an attempt to disengage the digital brake. No accidents had been reported in these circumstances, though the primary driver reported putting a utility pole when the Explorer began rolling downhill following an abrupt cease, seemingly as a result of the drivetrain was disengaged.
The unique recall coated sure 2020 by 2022 Explorers with 2.3-liter engines, in addition to 3.0-liter and three.3-liter hybrids, and the three.0-liter ST. Additionally included had been 2020 and 2021 Explorer Police hybrids and people with 3.3-liter gasoline engines. Each of the reported incidents concerned 2021 Explorers.
A Ford consultant stated the corporate is working with the NHTSA on the matter.
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