More Than 90,000 Fords Recalled for Issue With Engine Intake Valves

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Ford was the most recalled automaker in 2023, and things haven’t calmed down much this year. The company recently recalled 90,736 vehicles for an issue involving engine intake valves, which can break while driving.


The recall affects the 2021-2022 Bronco, Edge, Explorer, F-150, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Nautilus models with the 2.7- or 3.0-liter EcoBoost engines. Though the 2022 model year is included, Ford said it revised its valve material and construction in late October 2021, which remedied the issue.


The documentation states that the engines in those vehicles may have intake valves with a “propensity to crack and break.” If an intake valve fails, it could cause “catastrophic engine damage resulting in a loss of motive power.” The failures relate to the valves’ hardness at the third keeper groove location in the valve component. Owners may see an engine malfunction or check engine light if the problem exists. They may also notice that the vehicle is running rough prior to it losing power.

Unfortunately for Ford and its owners, this is one recall that can’t be fixed with an over-the-air update. Dealers will inspect the vehicle to determine if its engine has met Ford’s defined number of engine cycles. Those with less use will be cycled at the dealer using an OEM servicing procedure. If the engine does not pass the cycle accumulation test, the dealer will replace the engine. Ford said it may reimburse owners who had already paid for repairs, depending on their eligibility.


[Images: Ford]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • Dartdude Dartdude on Sep 05, 2024
    Why are Ford not testing the quality of supplier parts. Relying on the supplier to verify the quality of their parts is just asking for trouble. Worked in the aerospace industry and they were pairing down inspectors and relying on the machinist to verify the part were to specs. This practice started with Boeing and their suppliers. Two areas of manufacturing that can't be skimp on is Engineering and Inspection. Ford needs to re-evaluate their suppliers.
    • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Sep 05, 2024
      I suspect they were inspected just fine. This would have required destructive testing to find, correct? (Maybe not, I am out of my depth.)
  • Dartdude Dartdude on Sep 06, 2024
    ToolGuy, manufacturers test parts that includes cutting them up to find out their weakness. More than likely the supplier didn't heat treat the valves to specs.
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