Ford is recalling nearly 274,000 SUVs across the U.S., and if you’re driving an Expedition or a Lincoln Navigator, it’s time to pay attention.
The auto giant announced that model years 2022 to 2024 are being pulled in for inspection due to a serious issue that could cause a total loss of brake function. That’s not just a mechanical hiccup, it’s a crash waiting to happen if left unchecked.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that the front brake lines in these vehicles might be rubbing against the engine’s air cleaner outlet pipe. Sounds technical, but here’s the bottom line: this contact can cause brake fluid to leak, and leaking brake fluid means your brakes could stop working properly, or at all.
Ford’s recall report, dated Friday, covers 223,315 Expedition SUVs and 50,474 Navigators. Even though Ford believes only about 1% of these vehicles actually have the defect, that still amounts to thousands of SUVs that could be on the road with compromised brakes. As of April 17, Ford had already received 45 warranty reports tied to leaking front brake lines, although thankfully no accidents or injuries have been linked to the issue so far.
Here’s what Ford and Lincoln plan to do about it: dealers will inspect the front brake line and, depending on the damage, either replace that or the air cleaner outlet pipe. This will be done free of charge, of course. Dealer notifications began on Wednesday, and letters will start hitting mailboxes between May 26 and May 30.
In the meantime, what should drivers look out for? One red flag is an increase in pedal travel, basically, needing to press the brake pedal harder and further to stop the vehicle. Another warning sign is the red brake indicator light coming on, which would suggest the brake fluid is running low, possibly due to a leak.
The issue comes down to a potential installation defect. Something as seemingly simple as misrouted brake lines brushing up against the air intake system has turned into a full-blown recall affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles. This kind of problem might not show itself until the fluid’s already leaked out and your brakes are starting to give way.
If you own one of these SUVs and want to know whether your specific vehicle is involved, you don’t have to wait for the letter. You can go online and use either the NHTSA recall search tool or Ford’s own recall lookup system, just enter your VIN and you’ll know in seconds.
The recall is officially listed under the number 25S47. Ford’s spokesperson didn’t offer any extra details when reached by The Associated Press, but honestly, the documents speak for themselves. This is a serious recall that demands attention.
