Over 85,000 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles produced between November 2018 and September 2022 are equipped with potentially catastrophic 3.3-liter V6 engines. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been alerted to this issue, with Ford pinpointing the Lima, Ohio plant as the source of these problematic engines.
Despite identifying a risk of underhood fires due to engine block breaches caused by bearing seizures, Ford remains uncertain about the root cause of these failures. While potential factors such as material defects, debris, crankshaft issues, and oil quality have been suggested, no definitive explanation has been provided.
To address the problem, Ford implemented unspecified “robustness actions” at the Lima plant in June 2022. However, with 13 reported underhood fires linked to these engines, the full extent of the issue remains unclear. The Ford Explorer Police Utility, a high-performance law enforcement vehicle, has recently faced a recall due to a potential engine issue.
While no fires or breaches have been reported by owners of non-police versions, law enforcement agencies will be notified of the recall from August 19 to 23. Unfortunately, the remedy for this problem is still under development and is expected to be available only in the second quarter of 2025.
The proposed solution involves an inspection for engine noise and a software update for the powertrain control module. This software will include diagnostics for connecting rod bearing failures. If a failure is detected, dealers will be required to replace the long block, a major engine component. The long block, a 3.3L V6 PFDI, is available online for around $3,600. PFDI, or port fuel direct injection, refers to the use of two sets of injectors for optimal performance.
The Ford Explorer Police Utility, introduced in 2020, offers a choice of three powertrains: a gas-only 3.3L V6 PFDI, a hybrid version with 318 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 400 horsepower. The 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 makes the Explorer Police Utility one of the fastest police vehicles in the United States, capable of reaching speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.
