The specific full-size SUVs in question were all built during a four-month period between December 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, according to a Ford statement Thursday. So far, 16 of the SUVs have caught fire while parked and powered off. Fourteen of the vehicles were in rental fleets, while two were owned by retail customers. The automaker said it was aware of an injury that appeared to have resulted from the problem, but gave no further details on the extent of the injury or its circumstances.
Twelve of the fires occurred while the vehicle was parked and turned off, one while the vehicle was parked and turned on, and three while it was in motion, the company said.
The exact cause of the fires, which are believed to have started in the rear passenger side of the engine compartment, is still under investigation, Ford said in an announcement.
“We are working around the clock to determine the root cause of this issue and fix it so customers can continue to enjoy their vehicles,” said Jeffrey Marentic, general manager, Ford Passenger Vehicles.
Owners are not advised to stop driving the SUVs, but rather keep them away from buildings when parked.
Ford will begin reaching out to owners through the mail and through their Ford and Lincoln smartphone apps once a list of owners of those specific SUVs has been compiled, the automaker said in a statement. Owners who believe their vehicles may be involved can also call Ford’s toll-free number at 1-866-436-7332, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which monitors vehicle recalls.
Ford will communicate with customers once a solution to the potential problem has been found, the automaker said.