By Michael Elkins
Ford Motor (NYSE:F) announced Thursday that the company is recalling 198,000 SUVs in the United States to replace the blower motor assembly after reports of 25 fires. The automaker believes the problem is a defect in the blower motor located behind the glove box.
The recall covers 2015-2017 model year Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. Ford said in government documents it had three reports of fires linked to property damage to structures and one involving minor injury.
Ford will notify owners starting Sept. 12. Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly at no cost to owners.
The company says it’s not telling people to park the SUVs outdoors. It says some customers have reported inoperative fans, burning smells, or smoke coming from the vents while the vehicle is on.
This is the second recent recall for the Expedition and Navigator due to problems that can cause fires. In July, Ford expanded a May recall to 66,000 of the SUVs from the 2021 model year. The company told owners to park them outdoors due to a series of engine fires that could happen while the ignitions are off. Ford traced the cause to printed circuit boards that are susceptible to an electrical short.