Front Brake Hose Could Rupture On Ford And Lincoln Vehicles

On 2023-03-21 08:59:57

Ford authorized a service action in January 2018 for a specific subset of Edge vehicles due to unique road conditions, parking situations, and driving habits that caused a high incidence of premature front brake jounce hose ruptures. For other Edge vehicles not included in the specific population, the defect rate was low, but Ford continued to investigate and monitor reports globally for similar jounce connections. The service action included 2015-2018 Edge, 2016-2018 MKX, 2013-2018 Fusion, and 2018 MKZ vehicles operated in the U.S.

To identify potential causes of premature front brake hose ruptures, Ford's engineers conducted extensive life cycle testing. They found that frequent full suspension and steering articulations could potentially result in front brake jounce hose failures. During the same period, Ford also changed the brake hose material globally to improve component durability.

Ford continued testing on Fusion vehicles to assess the potential defect. If a front brake jounce hose experiences a progressive leak, a customer may notice longer braking distances and an illuminated brake warning light before experiencing no brake performance. However, Fusion vehicles have two isolated brake circuits, enabling the vehicle to stop safely if one circuit is leaking.

Ongoing analysis of field data revealed a low but increasing incidence of front brake jounce hose ruptures in Edge and MKX vehicles operated in the U.S. during their expected useful life. Ford continued to investigate and monitor reports globally for vehicles not covered by previous service actions, including 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and 2013-2018 Lincoln MKZ.

Owners affected by the recall will receive notices asking them to return to their dealerships for front brake hose replacement. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be sent in April, and a second letter will be mailed once parts become available. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-162.