Ford Recalls Almost 200K Pickups, SUVs Due to Leaking Brake Fluid

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Ford 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, l 2016-2018 F-150 Recall Overview:

• Who: Ford is recalling 195,864 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles.
• Why: The 3.5L Ecoboost engines the vehicles are equipped with may leak brake fluid from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster, increasing crash risks.
• Where: The recall is effective nationwide in the United States.

Ford is recalling 195,864 pickups and SUVs due to an issue that has plagued the company: leaking brake fluid in the 3.5L Ecoboost engines.

It is the third recall for the same issue, and in a Mar. 22 recall notice posted by the National Highway Safety Transport Agency, the company says that dealers will replace faulty brake boosters in the 3.5L Ecoboost engines free of charge.

According to the notice, the brake master cylinder in certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and 2016-2018 F-150 may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Ford Pickups, SUVs With Leaking Brake Fluid Subject To Greater Crash Risk

“A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash,” the notice explains.

If the brake fluid in the reservoir is depleted to a predetermined level, the driver will hear an audible chime, receive a message center alert and see the red brake warning indicator illuminated in the instrument cluster, the notice says. Braking ability still would be unchanged at that time.

If the driver continues to use the vehicle, they may begin to experience a change in brake pedal travel and feel and need to apply increased pressure on the pedal. If a loss of brake fluid is substantial enough to reduce brake function to the front wheels, full braking function would remain in the rear wheel circuit.

However, reduced brake function in the front wheels can extend stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash, the notice says.

Ford says that investigation found the cause of the leak to be brake fluid contamination that could interfere with rear cup seal function or, to a lesser extent, rolling of the rearmost cup seal in the master cylinder.

The automaker says owners will be notified by mail by Apr. 29 and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the brake master cylinder replaced. In addition, the brake booster will be replaced if the brake master cylinder is leaking. There will be no charge for this service, the company says.

Ford has faced legal action over this issue in the past with several plaintiffs filing a class action lawsuit in August 2018 in Michigan. They argued that 2013-2018 Ford F-150 trucks were equipped with a defective front brake master cylinder from Hitachi. According to the plaintiffs, this component can cause the vehicles to suddenly and unexpectedly lose braking ability.

Let us know in the comments section if you have a Ford vehicle affected by this recall!

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