Ford Motor Co is recalling 661,000 Explorer sport utility vehicles in North America at the request of U.S. regulators because retention pins could loosen and allow roof rail covers to detach from the vehicle.
According to CBC Canada, the recall covers 2016 through 2019 model year vehicles and includes 620,483 vehicles in the United States, 36,419 in Canada, and 4,260 in Mexico. Dealers will install push pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers.
In documents posted Sunday, the nation’s second-largest automaker said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first inquired about the issue in early 2020 after receiving 11 reports of roof rail cover detachment.
In April of last year, the NHTSA requested that Ford Motor Company issue a recall, however, Ford said that it wasn’t necessary because it was unlikely that a roof rail would detach, as well as the fact that drivers would likely detect a loose roof rail cover, according to the documents.
In November 2020, Ford said it would extend its warranty to cover the issue for 10 years or 150,000 miles (just over 240,000 kilometers), before agreeing to the recall on April 20 this year.
A Ford spokeswoman said Sunday the automaker is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.
U.S.News is reporting that vehicles covered by the recall have roof rail covers that are painted silver, black or absolute black. Customer notifications will begin the week of June 28.
