Ford Motor Company has issued two separate recalls impacting more than 148,000 vehicles in the United States. The recalls involve a brake fluid leak affecting over 123,000 units and a software fault in over 24,000 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Owners of affected models will be notified by mail and advised to visit authorised dealers for free repairs. The manufacturer has confirmed no reports of accidents or injuries related to either issue.
Brake Fluid Leak Affects F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator
According to the NHTSA, the largest recall involves 123,611 units of the 2017–2018 Ford F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator, all equipped with 3.5L EcoBoost engines. These vehicles are being recalled due to a defect in the brake master cylinder, which may allow brake fluid to leak into the brake booster.
This can result in reduced braking performance on the front wheels, leading to longer stopping distances and increased risk of a crash.
The official recall report, dated 11 April 2024, states that analysis of returned components indicated brake fluid contamination, which could interfere with the rear cup seal function or cause the seal to roll.
If this condition is present, drivers may experience warning signals including an audible chime, dashboard alerts, and a red brake warning indicator. Continued driving may also result in a change in pedal feel and increased pedal effort.
Owners will be instructed to have their vehicles inspected at Ford or Lincoln dealerships. The brake master cylinder will be replaced free of charge, and if a leak is found, the brake booster will also be replaced.
Powertrain Control Issue Prompts Recall of 2025 Ford Explorer
In a separate action, Ford is recalling 24,655 units of the 2025 Ford Explorer due to a fault in the vehicle’s powertrain control module (PCM).
According to the NHTSA, the PCM may reset while the vehicle is in operation, which could damage the park system or result in an engine stall. Either outcome presents a potential hazard, particularly if the failure occurs while the vehicle is moving.
The company has indicated that dealers will update the vehicle’s software to correct the issue at no cost to the owner. Notification letters for this recall are scheduled to be mailed by 26 May 2024.
Ford has not reported any incidents, injuries, or fires in connection with this fault. The NHTSA advises vehicle owners to consult its VIN lookup tool at nhtsa.gov/recalls to verify if their car is affected.
