Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and block heaters, about a problem that could result in an engine fire. According to the defect report, the design of the block heater area, coupled with the engine installation angle and the length of the block heater element, could result in overheating. Drivers may notice engine coolant leaks, an illuminated check engine light, poor vehicle heater performance and /or heat damage to the electrical connector on the engine block heater. Continue reading

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) have opened an investigation (PE16-003) into brake fluid leaks in certain 2013- 2014 Ford F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L engines. There have been approximately 35 driver reports of reduced braking due to brake fluid leaks from the master cylinder into the brake booster. The complaints allege symptoms of brake pedal going to the floor with complete loss of brake effectiveness, an illuminated brake warning lamp, and/or low or empty master cylinder reservoir fluid level with no visible leakage. Continue reading

Ford will be asking a small number of 2015 Ford Mustang owners to return to their dealerships for a problem affecting the braking system. During installation of the Roush Extreme Duty Half Shafts, the caliper guide pin bolts may have not been torqued to the proper specification. The loose caliper guide pin bolt could result in unusual noises from the rear wheels and partial loss of the rear braking system. Continue reading

Ford will be asking the owners of certain 2010-2011 Fusion and Milan cars to return to their dealerships to repair a defect affecting the fuel system. According to reports, some cars may have an evaporative emissions canister purge valve (CPV) that may develop an internal leak and allow excessive vacuum to build up in the fuel tank. Repeated cycles of this condition could cause cracks to develop in the fuel tank. Drivers may detect a smell of fuel around the vehicle, observe a fuel puddle under the fuel tank, and/or experience a malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination. Continue reading

The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. were contacted by the owner of a 2012 Ford Fiesta experiencing repeated problems. Our client had purchased the Fiesta in September 2011 and was experiencing safety related problems with the transmission. The vehicle was difficult to shift, would shutter, and often slip out of gear while driving. After giving her Ford dealership four (4) opportunities to repair the problems she decided to contact us for advice. Continue reading

During thermal management testing of certain 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles with 2.3L engines, elevated fuel tank surface temperatures were observed. To investigate, Ford performed additional thermal management testing on all engine variants and multiple vehicles. The investigation found that prolonged exposure to elevated under body temperatures can cause degradation of the fuel tank, fuel vapor lines, and parking brake cable seals. Leaks within these systems could result in a vehicle fire or degraded parking brake functions. Continue reading

The owner of a 2012 Ford Mustang with multiple safety defects, recently contacted the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. looking for advice about her vehicle and the California Lemon Law. She purchased her Mustang in July 2011 and had been trying to get it fixed since August 31, 2011. A Ford dealer had been given at least four (4) opportunities to repair the problems which included: defective suspension, defective control arms, defective transmission, defective power windows, and a defective wheel alignment. Continue reading