Ford recalls 870,000 F-150 trucks after reports brakes activated while driving

KARAH RUCKER: FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED A MAJOR RECALL OF ITS TOP SELLING F-150 AFTER 19 DRIVERS REPORTED THEIR BRAKES ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. THE RECALL IS FOR 870,701 TRUCKS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED BELONG TO THE 2021 THROUGH 2023 MODEL YEARS AND FEATURE SINGLE EXHAUST SYSTEMS.

IN A SAFETY RECALL REPORT TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, THE VEHICLE COMPANY SAID CONTACT WITH THE REAR AXLE HOUSING MAY DAMAGE A WIRING HARNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO UNEXPECTED ACTIVATION OF THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. 

“DAMAGED ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WIRING MAY LEAD TO INADVERTENT PARKING BRAKE APPLICATION WHILE DRIVING, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH,” THE RECALL REPORT SAID. 

IN NORTH AMERICA, FORD CITED 918 WARRANTY CLAIMS AND THREE FIELD REPORTS OF WIRE CHAFING SO FAR. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTED ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ISSUE.

FORD’S F-SERIES TRUCKS HAVE BEEN THE TOP-SELLING VEHICLES IN THE U.S. FOR DECADES. BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 11, FORD DEALERS AND PEOPLE WHO OWN THE AFFECTED F-150 TRUCKS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER TO INFORM THEM OF THE RECALL AND THE FIX FOR THE ISSUE, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.