Hybrid SUV Recall: Battery Issues Spark Safety Concerns in Recent Models

"Urgent safety recall sign in bold letters."

The Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of 20,484 hybrid SUVs due to fire risks linked to battery defects, leaving many questioning the safety of their vehicles.

At a Glance

Ford recalls 20,484 Escape and Lincoln Corsair hybrid SUVs for battery defects.
Defects involve battery cell separator, risking short circuit and fire.
Free software updates and battery replacements will be provided.
Owners receive notifications starting January 20, 2025.

Recall Overview

Ford Motor Co. has initiated a recall for 20,484 hybrid crossover SUVs. This recall affects Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair models manufactured between 2020 and 2024 due to concerns over the high-voltage batteries. The imprinted micro defects in the manufacturing process have raised fears over potential short circuits, which could pose a fire hazard.

These challenged vehicles carry a risk of a propulsion system shutdown, increasing the likelihood of crashes. Despite these risks, Ford has reported that no accidents, injuries, or fires have been linked to these defects. However, four cases of thermal venting serve as a reminder of the potential severity of the issue.

RECALL ALERT | Ford is recalling more than 125,000 Escape SUVs, Maverick pickups and Lincoln Corsair luxury SUVs because their engines could leak fluids and catch fire. All the vehicles being recalled are hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions. https://t.co/ejNOkfEJKM

— Island News (@KITV4) June 6, 2023

Technical Details and Safety Measures

According to Ford, the heart of the problem is the battery cell separator, which may incur damage, leading to short circuits and potentially causing an internal fault. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high-voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

To combat this, Ford is equipping affected vehicles with updated battery energy control module software and will replace high-voltage battery packs. This will incur no cost to the owners. Affected vehicles will promptly alert drivers with a “Stop Safely Now” message on the instrument cluster should an issue arise.

Ford Recalling 20,000 Escape, Lincoln Corsair SUVs for Battery Issue https://t.co/KeTypG8DAq

— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) January 1, 2025

Next Steps for Owners

Vehicle owners will be officially notified by Ford starting January 20, 2025. In the meantime, owners can verify the recall specifics with Ford or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) using the recall reference number 24S79. The NHTSA website, along with the toll-free numbers, provides comprehensive guidance for concerned owners.

For any assistance, Ford owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332, corresponding with FoMoCo Recall Number 24S79, or reach out to NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236, NHTSA (TTY) at 1-800-424-9153.