Ford Motor Co. should be counting their lucky stars with news that they have had to recall around 12,300 of their latest F-150 pick-ups.
The American car giants are recalling the pick-ups as a result of a dodgy “upper I-shaft”, at risk of separating and causing a loss of steering of all things.
Now don’t get us wrong, we would choose a loss of steering over a loss of breaks any day. But being at the wheel of 700 pounds worth of nuts and bolts and being unable to direct it, is far from a more desirable position.
The faulty shaft connects the steering wheel to the steering rack and it is thought they will need to be replaced. Luckily for Ford over half of these pick-ups are still relaxing on sunny dealership forecourts, although it is thought as many as 5,600 are on the roads of North America, Canada and Mexico.
Fingers crossed there has been no accidents or injuries as of yet, although one loss of steering has been reported and attributed to the fault. Ford are pushing their luck, having recalled 91 of the same model pick-ups back in April for missing under-body heat shields.
But credit where credits due, they have dealt with the matter in an upfront and honest manner. Their Japanese counterparts at Toyota know all too well the immense damage a slow recall can have on customers’ lives, let alone a brand’s reputation.
Ford will begin to recall the pick-ups in question to determine whether the shaft needs replacing. Something could be said for the speed and method of the recall though, as in this digital day and age, Ford are notifying their customers by mail. Fingers crossed no one is seriously injured before the postman does his rounds.
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