Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) is recalling 661,000 Explorer sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in North America at the request of U.S. regulators because retention pins could loosen and allow roof rail covers to detach from the vehicles.
The recall covers 2016 through 2019 model year Ford Explorers. Dealers will install push pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers.
The Detroit automaker said in a written statement that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration first inquired about the issue in early 2020 following 11 reports of roof rail cover detachments.
In April of this year, the regulator asked Ford to issue a recall, which the carmaker had initially said was not necessary because of the low likelihood of a roof rail detaching, its small weight and the fact drivers would likely detect a loose roof rail cover before it detaches.
Ford said last November that it is extending its warranty to cover the roof rail issue for 10 years or 150,000 miles before agreeing to the recall on April 30th.
Ford said the automaker is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem. The vehicles covered by the recall have roof rail covers that are painted silver or black.
Customer notifications will begin the week of June 28. The recall includes 620,483 vehicles in the United States, 36,419 in Canada and 4,260 in Mexico.
