Ford Motor (F.N) said Friday it is recalling more than 870,000 F-150 trucks in the United States because of the risk of an unexpected activation of the electric parking brake due to a potential wiring issue. The recall covers 2021 through 2023 model-year F-150 trucks equipped with a single exhaust system, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Over time chafing may wear through the tape covering the rear wiring harness that contains wires for the electric parking brakes and allow the copper inside to short to ground, Ford said in the NHTSA filing. This would activate the parking brakes if the driver doesn’t press down on the brake pedal or get a warning light and message on the dashboard, which could lead to a crash. The company has received 918 warranty claims and three field reports in North America, including 19 unintentional electric parking brake activation cases while the truck was in motion. It does not know of any crashes or injuries related to the problem.
The automaker said it would send a letter to owners starting September 11, asking them to take their trucks to an authorized dealership where the dealer can either replace the rear axle wiring harness or add a protective tie strap and tape wrap to prevent chafing. It says the repair will be free to affected drivers.
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Owners of the recalled vehicles are also advised to park the vehicle with the parking brake set and not use it while driving. NHTSA and Ford are working together to determine how many of the vehicles might be affected, a spokeswoman for the agency told Reuters.
This is the second recall this week involving Ford’s top-selling pickup. It was reported earlier that the company recalled some Escape SUVs over fire concerns linked to the faulty engine control module used in those models.
In the case of the F-150 recall, the problem involves the battery monitor sensor power circuit on the vehicle, which is located next to a rear electrical connector that contains wires for the electric parking brakes. Reuters added that the sensor’s wiring could come into contact with the wires for the parking brakes when the connectors are removed from the front of the vehicles to service parts such as windshield wipers.
Ford’s recall announcement comes just days after the National Transportation Safety Board issued a report on its investigation into two fatal crashes in which the airbags failed to deploy. The agency’s recommendations include that the NTSB conduct more extensive tests of airbags and seat belts on newer vehicles to ensure they are functioning correctly.
