Recall Alert: 661,000 Ford Explorers Could Be Prone To Runaway Roof Rail Covers
Kimberly Mann
· 3 min read
Do you drive a
Ford
Explorer? Some of these models are being recalled for faulty roof rail covers, and you don’t have to pay for a fix with your car insurance
. Repairs are always free when a vehicle is recalled. Ford is recalling around 661,000 of its 2016-2019 Explorer model, as reported by
Reuters
. Here’s a brief overview of the recall details and what to do if your vehicle is affected.
Why are Ford Explorer models being recalled?
The roof rail covers of some of the Ford Explorer models may come off when driving at high speeds. The pins holding the rail covers down can loosen over time, and lead to dangerous situations if it flies into traffic.
The risk of the roof coming off while driving is a big problem. A flying roof cover can distract other drivers, and cause
severe accidents
if it falls onto the road. This is why owners who have affected vehicles should respond to the recall when notified, and bring their cars into a dealership as soon as possible. Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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Is your Ford Explorer affected?
MORE: Subaru Recalls 800,000 Cars Including Several Popular Models
620,483 of the models were sold in the United States. But, not all Ford Explorers made between 2016 and 2019 are affected by the recall. The affected trims include the Police, Base, Sport, and XLT with roof rail covers painted silver, black, or absolute black. Roof covers that are metal-plated are not affected.
If you’re not sure whether your roof covers are painted or plated, you can wait for a recall notice, or call your local dealership to ask. You can also look up the VIN to see if your vehicle is affected by a recall through the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
website.If your 2016-2019 Ford Explorer model has painted roof covers, you can listen for increased wind noise which might indicate that the roof covers are loose.
Ford dealers will replace the retention pins with new push-pins on the affected models. They will also replace any damaged roof rail covers. You will not be charged for these services or the replacement parts.
Car recalls are common
Car recalls are common, and some issues aren’t immediately noticeable when vehicles are manufactured. The Ford Explorer’s roof cover problem has been identified five years after the first of the affected models were released. Wear and tear issues can take years to spot.
But, this doesn’t mean you should ignore recall notices because your vehicle hasn’t had any observable issues yet. Some problems, like a loose roof cover, can cause disastrous accidents on the road.
Fortunately, a Ford spokeswoman said that no accidents or injuries have been reported related to issues with the roof covers. Not every vehicle issue will be covered by a recall, so it’s still important to make sure you have good car insurance.
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