73,000 Ford Vehicles Recalled in Canada, Class Action Filed Against PHEVs
Ford and Lincoln vehicles are being hit with another round of safety recalls, this time affecting nearly 75,000 units in Canada.
First, just over 40,000 units of the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and Maverick, 2023-2025 Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair and 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus may have an engine block heater that could overheat when the block heater is plugged in. The recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 1.5- or 2.0-litre engine and a factory-installed block heater.
- Also: Ford Recalls 160,000 Vehicles in Canada, Bronco Hit Four Times
- Also: Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator Recalled Over Braking Issue
Dealers will replace the engine block heater element and, if necessary, the block heater electrical cord. To reduce the safety risk, Ford advises owners not to plug in the engine block heater until the recall repairs have been completed.
Next, on approximately 23,000 units of the 2016-2017 Ford Explorer (including police-rated Interceptor vehicles), the exterior B-pillar trims may not be properly attached and could separate from the vehicle, potentially creating a road hazard for other road users. The company will notify owners when the corrective actions for this recall are ready.
Just shy of 7,000 new Mavericks need to go back to dealers to install clips to secure the passenger airbag disabled indicator to the instrument panel, which could otherwise become loose and prevent drivers from knowing if the passenger-front airbag is on or off.
Elsewhere, a software problem on about 2,700 units of the 2024 Lincoln Aviator could cause the panoramic display and centre display to go blank and restart while driving. Here, the remedy is an update to the accessory protocol interface module software.
Another recall affects the 2025 Ford F-150 and Transit. The connecting rods on the 3.5-litre V6 may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the engine could fail. Only 33 units may have this problem across Canada, mind you. Ford says the corrective actions are under development.
Defective Batteries Trigger a Lawsuit
Also this week, we’ve learned that a national class action has been filed in Ontario against Ford on behalf of all Canadians who owned or leased a Ford Escape PHEV or Lincoln Corsair PHEV from model years 2020 to the present. The lawsuit alleges that the high-voltage battery cells can cause fires, even when the vehicles are parked and switched off.
Early this year, Ford notified owners of a defect in the batteries that could cause a short circuit and engine overheating. A recall on 8,825 units covering the 2020 through 2024 model years was announced, and the automaker warned owners to immediately stop plugging in the vehicles to charge in order to maintain a lower charge level on the batteries and reduce the risk of fire.
The class action further alleges that Ford is still unable to repair those Escapes and Corsairs, which means that their owners are refraining from plugging them in and therefore can’t save on gas by driving on pure battery power over long distances.
You can learn more by visiting the website of Charney Lawyers.
