Ford recalls 661,000 Explorer SUVs owing to roof rail faults

Ford is recalling 661,000 Explorer SUVs at the behest of US regulators after they found issues with retention pins that could loosen and detach roofing panels.

The recall affects models released between 2016 and 2019 and includes a little over 620,000 vehicles in the US, under 36,419 in Canada and 4,260 in Mexico.

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The company revealed on Sunday the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration inquired into the loose pins in early 2020 following 11 reports of vehicle roofing coming loose. It originally requested a recall from the automaker in April 2020, once the problem had become more apparent.

Ford originally declined to do a recall as it believed the chances of the roof detaching were slim, owing to the panelling being lightweight and easy to spot if faulty. Their original goal was to simply extend vehicle warranty to cover the issue.

However, the US's second-largest automaker eventually gave in and agreed to recall these particular models. Customers will be receiving notifications starting on June 28 alerting them of the recall.

The company's dealers have been asked to install push pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers.

Ford is currently unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem, a spokesperson announced.

Vehicles covered by the recall will have roof covers painted silver, black or absolute black.

This is the second major recall for Ford in the last year.

The company postponed production of its Escape SUV last October following the recall of 20,500 Kuga PHEV vehicles.

Read more: Ford postpones Escape SUV production following Kuga recall

The vehicles had developed faults in their battery packs which could cause them to vent hot gas.

The company has also seen declining manufacturing output owing to the effects of the semiconductor shortage.

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