Ford Issues Recall for Over 422,000 Vehicles Due to Wiper Defect
Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for more than 422,000 vehicles in the United States following reports of potential windshield wiper failure. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue involves specific models that may experience erratic wiper operation or complete failure.
The affected vehicles include:
- 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator SUVs
- 2021-2023 Ford Expedition SUVs
- 2022-2023 Ford Super Duty trucks
Safety Concerns and NHTSA Findings
The NHTSA reports that the wiper arms may have an improperly staked latch retention plate, which can cause the wipers to operate erratically or detach entirely. “An improperly functioning or detached wiper arm may impair driver vision, increasing the risk of a crash,” the agency noted in its recall summary. While the safety agency advises that drivers might notice erratic wiping speeds before a complete failure occurs, the defect presents a significant safety hazard.
The recall stems from manufacturing issues at the supplier that were addressed by December 2022, limiting the affected vehicles to those produced within a specific timeframe.
Next Steps for Owners
Ford has stated that it is currently unaware of any accidents or injuries linked to this wiper failure. The automaker is notifying dealers of the recall and plans to begin mailing notices to registered owners starting April 13, with completion expected by April 17. Dealers will inspect the windshield wipers on affected vehicles and replace them if necessary. Owners can check if their vehicle is included in the recall by searching their VIN on the NHTSA website.
For this story, generative AI was utilized as a research aid, with editorial verification of all AI-generated content prior to publication.