Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of over 850,000 vehicles in the United States due to a potential fuel pump issue that could cause the engine to stall while driving.

The affected models include recent versions of the Ford Bronco, Explorer, Mustang, F-150, Expedition, and various heavy-duty F-Series trucks, as well as the Lincoln Aviator and Navigator.

The concern stems from the low-pressure fuel pump inside these vehicles, which may fail without warning. If this happens, the engine could stall mid-drive, raising the risk of suffering a crash, especially on highways or in heavy traffic.

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fuel pump failure is “more likely to occur” during warm weather or when the fuel tank is running low.

That detail raises a specific concern for Ford owners in the Philippines, where hot weather is a year-round reality and many drivers are used to stretching their gas to the last bar. While this recall is currently limited to the US, local motorists are asking if this could affect them as well.

The Associated Press and NBC News reported that Ford estimates about 10 percent of the 850,318 vehicles being recalled in the US are likely to have the defective part.

The issue may be due to internal contamination or changes in supplier manufacturing processes. While there is still no fix available, Ford has committed to notifying affected owners and providing a remedy at no cost once it is ready.

Nothing new

Having a Ford unit recalled is nothing new, raising the question if the company is truly living up to its long-standing slogan of “Built Tough.”

Here in the country, there were some mechanical issues that hounded the 122-year-old American carmaker. The most notable among these defects was the transmission issue that affected the Ranger and Everest models from 2021 to 2023.

Ford Philippines said they had to recall the 2021-2023 Ranger and Everest vehicles equipped with the 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine and E-Shifter technology due to a software issue that can cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into Park while driving. Aside from the anxiety, this issue can potentially lead to a loss of power and unintended vehicle movement.

To solve that, Ford recalled the units and replaced the transmission main control valve body for free.

Another defect that Ford Philippines faced in the past was the faulty Takata airbag inflators of certain older models of Everest, Ranger and Mustang. These airbags could deploy with excessive force, potentially causing the inflator casing to rupture and hurl debris into the vehicle’s occupants.

The recall affected approximately 32,900 vehicles.

Ford’s engine wasn’t spared from defects.

Certain models of the 2016 to 2022 EcoSport and Focus that were equipped with 1.0L engine were also recalled after complaints that the oil-drive belt tensioner arm may fracture or separate, leading to a drop in oil pressure. With low oil pressure, the unit will be vulnerable to severe engine damage, power loss, and diminished braking.

Aside from engine issues, some 2019 EcoSport models were also recalled due to improper welding of front seat frames that result to unsecured seat backs.

Ford Philippines, however, addressed the problem by replacing the front seat assemblies at no cost.

Safety, accountability

But one thing good about Ford Philippines is that it acts quickly in every crisis.

Instead of simply sweeping the problem under the rug, the company directly notified the owners of affected vehicles to let them know what steps to take.

In case there’s no notification, Ford Philippines provides an online Field Service Action Tracker where owners can enter their Vehicle Identification Number to check if their specific vehicle is part of an active recall.

However, if ever the unit is part of the recall, Ford Philippines advises the nearest service center so that they can repair it for free.

DAILY TRIBUNE Sports Editor Julius Manicad once experienced a recall after his 2016 Ford Fiesta suffered transmission problems like shuddering, slipping, and delayed gear changes due to faulty clutch components after two years of usage.

Manicad said he immediately brought his unit to Ford’s Bonifacio Global City branch and he was accommodated by the service advisor without having to go through the hassle of falling in line.

“The process was a breeze. It was as if they already anticipated my problem. So, after they identified my unit as part of their nationwide recall, they immediately addressed the issue,” Manicad said, adding that his unit was fixed and released after three days.

“Unfortunately, I had to sell my Ford Fiesta for a bigger car that can accommodate my growing family.”

Enrique Garcia, DAILY TYRIBUNE’s Chief Infrastructure Officer and Motoring Editor, previously owned a Ford Escape while based in the US. During his time with the vehicle, he did not encounter any issues.

“I drove my Ford Escape with my wife and our son on countless road trips. San Francisco to L.A., across Nevada, Arizona, and even up to Yellowstone,” Garcia said. “That compact SUV served our family well.”

Yes, Ford’s recall may be a red flag, but it’s also a signal that the brand is taking safety and accountability seriously. That, more than anything, is what drivers should look for.