Ford recalls thousands of vehicles due to engine fire risk

Ford is recalling around 350,000 vehicles, including 39,000 cars that should be parked outside because their engines could catch fire even when the cars are not running, the automaker said on Thursday. 

The Ford vehicles being recalled are the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs built between December 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, Ford said in U.S. government documents. 

The fires were first reported on March 24. So far, there are 15 reports of cars whose engines have caught fire, 14 of which were rental company vehicles. The fire allegedly starts at the back of the engine compartment on the passenger side. Twelve of the cars had their engines off when the fires happened. l

So far, Ford said it has not established a cause for the fires and does not yet have a solution for the problem. 

"We are working around the clock to determine the root cause of this issue and subsequent remedy so that customers can continue to enjoy using their vehicles," Jeffrey Marentic, general manager of Ford passenger vehicles, said in a statement.

While Ford is not telling owners of these vehicles to stop driving their cars. Instead, the company recommends that owners park them outdoors to avoid any incidents.

“Ford is treating this recall with a high sense of urgency and will communicate to customers – via FordPass and Lincoln Way app and mail – as soon as it finalizes the list of owners and addresses within the recalled vehicle population,” the statement said.

Ford is also recalling around 310,000 heavy-duty trucks because the drivers air bag may not inflate in 2016 F-250, 350, 450, and 550 models. Additionally, 464 electric 2021 Mustang Mach-E SUVs are being recalled because they can unintentionally accelerate or decelerate.