Ford Alerts Thousands of Owners to Park Vehicles Outdoors Following Reports of Fires in Popular SUVs | Carscoops

      A malfunctioning circuit board could overheat and catch fire, leading Ford to broaden its recall for 2020 models.

      An additional 4,632 units of the 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs are included in this recall. Defective battery junction box circuit boards may short circuit and ignite. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside until the recall repairs are finalized.

      It may be necessary to leave that full-size Ford SUV parked outdoors. Ford has expanded a recall following the discovery that some 2020 model year vehicles may catch fire, even when parked and turned off.

      The company has revealed that more 4,632 2020 Ford Expeditions and 2020 Lincoln Navigators manufactured between November 17 and December 1, 2020, are now part of the recall, following its previous action regarding 2021 models.

      According to documents filed with the NHTSA, an electrical short may form within the circuit board of the battery junction box due to improper solder mask coverage and limited conformal coating, which can expose internal circuits to moisture over time. If enough water and contaminants collect, they can short the board and start a fire. Until repairs are made, Ford continues to advise owners to park their vehicles outside.

      The automaker has reported two cases of under-hood fires in vehicles covered by this expanded recall. Fortunately, there have been no accidents or injuries related to this problem. Some owners have noted a burning smell or smoke coming from the front passenger side of the engine compartment as an early warning indicator of the issue.

      Dealers will evaluate the recalled vehicles and replace the battery junction box if damage is discovered. SUVs with an 800-watt cooling fan will undergo the removal of the box ground wire, while those with a 700-watt fan will receive an auxiliary box and a wire jumper to mitigate overheating risks. Notably, this situation appears to be linked to issues arising from the pandemic.

      The defective circuit boards originated from a manufacturer that transitioned production from one facility to another during the early part of 2020, which Ford believes contributed to the improper coating process. Owners will receive notifications through the mail or their FordPass app. They may also contact their local dealer or check their VIN at NHTSA.gov.