Over 18,000 Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators are being recalled for repairs due to an issue with the fuel filler pipe vapour line connector. The recall comes a month after Ford discovered the same issue with some 2022 Mustangs, all of which were fixed before being sent to dealers.
As per the NHTSA’s Safety Recall Report, the recall covers 18,078 vehicles in the United States, but Ford expects the defect to affect just one per cent of those SUVs. The affected vehicles are Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators built from December 6, 2021 to January 3, 2022.
Transport Canada did not have its own recall notice available at the time of publication; it is uncertain how many Canadian vehicles are affected.
The vapour line connects to the fuel filler tube, which vents the tank gases. The problem stems from a supplier-built connector that did not meet engineering standards — the dimensions of the annular surface of the end form, “critical to holding the mating clip in place,” were out of print.
In the event of a crash, the connection can become detached, causing leakage and increasing the risk of a fire.
According to Autoblog, Ford says “the check engine light might appear on the dash, throwing trouble codes P0456, P0442, P0455, or P04F0.”
Owners will be notified by mail beginning in April, and will be advised to take the vehicle to the dealer where a fuel vapour line redundant locking clip will be placed, free of charge — the recalled fuel filler tube end form will remain in place, but the locking clip will help it meet all standard safety requirements.
Keyword: Ford, Lincoln recalling over 18,000 SUVs due to fire risk