Drivers have been warned of a major car defect in thousands of popular cars which risk the safety of thousands of motorists, with national bodies now recalling the vehicle.
Ford Motors has been forced to recall 35,328 vehicles due to faulty LED lights in the exterior mirror which could risk catching fire.
The news broke today by Reuters with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration now warning that the vehicle defect could cause substantial risk to drivers.
It comes after reports revealed that the exterior mirror of certain Lincoln Navigator vehicles has been equipped with LED logo lights which may short circuit and cause fires.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The vehicle has been recalled due to the high flammability of the LED bulbs in mirrors
LINCOLN
The vehicles affected were those produced between January 17 2014, and June 30 2017, with the safety agency urging drivers to check if their model is impacted.
The NHTSA said: “The potting material on the LED logo lamps did not properly adhere to the wire terminals, resulting in gaps or cracks where water or conductive fluid could penetrate to the LED logo lamp printed circuit board.
“Over time, this can create corrosion and lead to a short. Additionally, the short detection parameters were incorrectly set. Short detection was not updated from the prior model, an incandescent lamp.”
In response, Ford dealers said they will disconnect the LED light wires free of charge for drivers who return them to the shop.
Ford added that it will reimburse the cost of remedies for owners who have paid to have these repairs completed at their own expense.
The safety issues were first flagged in September last year when the administration was notified by Transport Canada of a fire involving the exterior mirror assembly on a 2017 Lincoln Navigator.
Safety tests conducted between October and November last year found components of elevated levels of “fluid ingress” and exposure to foreign elements on the LED logo lamp’s printed circuit board, which could cause fires if put in contact with water, for example.
In December, numerous corrosion tests revealed that the LED logo lamps contained gaps or cracks in the potting material, which again makes it more susceptible to flames.
The recall also follows Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, which runs until March 9. During the week the administration detailed how if there are open recalls, owners should schedule a free repair at their local dealership as soon as possible.
Last year, 1,073 safety recalls affected more than 35 million vehicles and pieces of equipment, including tires and car seats.
More than 29 million vehicles were recalled in 2024, the administration stated, highlighting the importance of checking for recalls and completing needed recall repairs.
NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said: “Checking for recalls on your vehicle could save your loved ones’ lives or your own. Spring is a great time to check for recalls. When you’re doing your spring cleaning, don’t forget to get all your open recalls fixed as quickly as possible.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
In total more than 35,000 vehicles have been recalled by Ford following the fire hazards
GETTY
The administration added: “Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to cut and disconnect the power wire to the LED logo lamp. There will be no charge for this service.”
