If your F-150 fails, or your Bronco bucks and dies, you may be in for a new engine. Ford is recalling 90,000 popular vehicles as catastrophic engine failures have been tied to intake valves breaking while on the road.
Ford is recalling 90,000 popular vehicles
The Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine.
The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Potentially 90,736 vehicles could be affected.
Remedy
Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 24S55.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Didn’t take Ford long to know there was a problem
It was early on that Ford got wind of issues involving failing Nano EcoBoost engines. In January 2022, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) found that there had been 22 engine failures in just their first three months of operation. By May 2022, Ford’s North America CCRG noted that 251 engines had been returned from warranty claims.
In May of 2022, NHTSA had received enough complaints from Bronco owners that it generated its own defect petition. It was later expanded to include other Ford and Lincoln vehicles with the same engines.
By August of 2024, Ford said it knew about 811 engine claims around the world, ranging from as early as February 2021 through June 2024.
What’s behind the valve failures?
During the investigation, multiple contributing factors were identified which can lead to the fracturing of the intake valves in the subject engines. Ford acknowledged that a fractured intake valve can result in catastrophic engine failure and a loss of motive power and noted that following a valve fracture, a vehicle typically requires a full engine replacement.
Ford advised NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation that the defective valves were manufactured out of a specific alloy known as “Silchrome Lite”, which can become excessively hard and brittle if an over-temperature condition occurs during machining of the component.
A design modification was implemented in October 2021, which changed the intake valve material to a different alloy known as “Silchrome 1”, that is less susceptible to over-temperature during machine grinding. Ford has identified that the defective intake valves commonly fail early in a vehicle’s life and has suggested that the majority of failures have already occurred.
More recalls
For a comprehensive list of RV recalls, click here.
##RVT1173b
Probably prodded by law suits. Ford has never stood behind their failures before.
Let the buyer beware has been their motto since the ’70s.
No doubt you must be one of those coal blowing dodge fans.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Well, this seems like it has affected a lot of vehicles. Too bad they did not test the material more thoroughly before using it. I do hope no engine failure results in injuries or deaths. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I spent many years working at an Iowa and Neb. based engine components factory making valves for all the US car companies. Since Ford has decided to revert to Silchrome 1 instead of the “lite” version the failures should cease. S-1 is a very durable material for intake valves and has a proven track record.
Ford seems to be known for recalls. The F150 I had. Had four recalls in the sixteen months I owned it plus other issues my VIN weren’t recalled for.
Spark plugs flying out, brakes that don’t; and now valve eating engines….FORD….Fix or……………No Thanks……..