April wasn’t a good month to be a Ford owner. In one month, the manufacturer had to issue five unique recalls for its F-series trucks alone. This is in addition to multiple recalls for dangerous issues in other models.
These recalls aren’t for problems in older vehicles, either. They are all for recent truck models, ranging from 2019 through 2022. This may be a sign that Ford trucks are starting to lose the reliability that made them such a mainstay of American car culture.
Ford owners need to understand their trucks’ potential issues if they want to stay safe on the road. Here’s what you should know about these recalls and what you can do if your Ford truck has manufacturing issues that just aren’t fixable.
Ford Recalls in April 2022
So, what recalls did Ford have to issue? Models including the F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 saw multiple recalls for problems ranging from software errors to transmission failures. If you own a Ford truck made in the past few years, you should expect to see at least one of these recall notices appearing in your mailbox shortly.
Transmission Washer Failures
In late April, the manufacturer had to recall more than 23,000 Super Duty trucks for a transmission issue that could cause the mechanical parking brake to fail. Affected trucks included 2020 F-250 through F-550 models with 6.7L diesel engines.
In these trucks, the issue is a faulty washer. A single washer in the transmission is at risk of disintegrating over time. The debris can get into the gears controlling the mechanical parking brake and damage the teeth when this happens. As a result, trucks placed in park may “roll away” as the mechanical parking brake fails to keep the wheels from moving. As of March 15th, the company had received at least 66 reports of this exact failure happening in vehicles barely two years old.
Transmissions Shifting Into Neutral
F-150s aren’t immune to transmission issues either. At the beginning of April, the manufacturer issued a recall affecting more than 47,000 vehicles due to a transmission failure that can lead to sudden and unexpected shifts into neutral.
The recall applies to 2021 F-150s built between July and December of that year. According to the company, the issue is connected to the Auto Start-Stop feature found in different Ford models. The same transmissions are found in both, and in the affected trucks, a bit of code was left in the programming that causes it to shift into neutral for no reason. This shift can occur even at highway speeds. Vehicles can only be returned to a driving gear by turning the car off and on again.
Backup Camera Problems
Electronic problems were a common theme in April’s recalls. Another digital issue led to a recall of 22,000 F-series trucks. The backup cameras in these vehicles sometimes glitch out and fail to show an accurate image behind the car, making it unsafe for drivers to back up.
The issue is reportedly due to electrical issues within the camera itself. According to the recall announcement, the cameras will display either blank or distorted images, making it difficult or impossible to tell what’s occurring behind the car. This is the second recall for this backup camera issue, with the first taking place last year and affecting more than 620,000 2020 F-series models.
Steering Column Issues
Even brand-new vehicles aren’t immune from electrical problems. At the end of April, the company recalled more than 19,000 2022 F-150 vehicles due to issues with the steering column.
These steering columns are supposed to be telescopic and power-adjustable, meaning that motors within the column will extend and retract it to comfortably fit the driver. However, the recall announcement stated that the wiring within the steering column may not be long enough to extend as far as the column itself. As a result, it’s possible to damage the internal wiring by extending the column to its full length. Ford had received 69 warranty reports about the issue by April 5th.
Trailer Brake Software Errors
In one of the largest Ford recalls so far this year, the manufacturer has announced that more than 391,000 vehicles must be recalled to fix a potential trailer brake problem that could cause significant damage.
Affected vehicles include 2021-2022 F-150s, 2022 Super Duty trucks, Mavericks, Expeditions, and Lincoln Navigators. According to the company, these vehicles have a software error that will cause trailers to fail to receive a brake signal. Should the towing vehicle hit the brakes, the trailer will not, potentially causing the trailer to ram the back of the truck.
What to Do About Problems in Your F-Series Truck
With all of these potential problems, it’s clear that Ford owners need to be on the lookout for potentially dangerous manufacturing errors. If you’re concerned about your truck, you can take the following steps to get it fixed or even replaced.
- Follow recall instructions. When you receive a recall notice, follow the instructions in the letter and take it to a registered Ford dealership to be fixed as soon as possible.
- Monitor your vehicle. After the recall repair is made, pay attention to the potential problem to see if it’s actually been fixed.
- Attempt additional repairs. If your truck still shows signs of the problem, take it back to the dealer and request that they fix it again.
- File a lemon law claim. If the manufacturer’s mechanics can’t fix the problem, you may be able to file a lemon law claim to have the truck replaced or refunded entirely.
Don’t Drive Around in a Dangerous Truck
If you’ve bought a Ford truck in the past several years, these recalls mean it probably has electrical or transmission issues. Make sure you get them fixed by the manufacturer as soon as possible.
If Ford can’t successfully fix your truck, it’s time to get outside help. Schedule your consultation with the expert California lemon law attorneys at Johnson & Buxton today to learn more about your options. You may be able to get your truck replaced or even refunded if the manufacturer can’t fix its own mistakes.
