Ford Motor Company announced on June 12, 2018 they will recall more than 5,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles containing poorly-welded fuel pump assemblies.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based company notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) they will recall 5,645 2018 Ford Expedition, 2018 Lincoln Navigator and 2018 Ford F-150 vehicles built between Feb. 20, 2018 and May 6, 2018.
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Ford’s safety recall report states the affected vehicles, equipped with 3.5L V6 engines, contain high pressure fuel pumps with misaligned welds. These welds, normally located between the pump housing and its mounting flange, can let the fuel pump move and damage the cam cover’s sealing integrity. This can cause oil and or fuel leaks, increasing fire risk.
Ford learned in May 2018 from component manufacturer Robert Bosch LLC a misaligned laser caused welding problems. The suspect welds connect the fuel pump body to a flange that bolts the pump assembly to the engine. Engineers discovered the problem during an unrelated quality audit test. The supplier told Ford the misaligned laser affected pumps built between March 5 and March 13, 2018. Ford’s testing found the affected pump assemblies did not meet lifetime durability requirements, and the company approved a recall on June 4, 2018.
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Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S17. Ford owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.