Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for certain vehicles equipped with 2.7-liter and 3.0-liter EcoBoost engines due to a problem with the intake valves. These valves are prone to cracking and breaking, which can lead to engine failure and loss of power.
The recall affects models like the F-150, Bronco, Explorer, Edge, Lincoln Aviator, and Nautilus produced between 2021 and 2022. The issue stems from a manufacturing defect in the intake valves, which were supplied by Eaton Corporation.
Ford has identified that the valves were made with a material that was too hard and prone to cracking. This hardness was caused by a manufacturing process error at Eaton’s facility. To address the problem, Eaton has modified the valve material and manufacturing process for vehicles produced after October 31, 2021.
Ford has received reports of 811 warranty claims and 267 field reports related to the faulty valves. While there have been no known accidents caused by the issue, the recall is being issued to prevent potential safety hazards. The recall involves inspecting and replacing the intake valves in affected vehicles. Ford has urged owners of affected vehicles to contact their local dealer to schedule a service appointment.
The recall is a reminder of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and the need for manufacturers to maintain high quality standards in their supply chains. In addition to the recall, Ford is also investigating other potential causes of the valve failures, such as engine operating conditions and maintenance practices.
Ford has announced a new approach to addressing concerns about intake valve issues in certain EcoBoost engines. Instead of replacing faulty valves outright, the automaker will now conduct engine cycle tests to determine the cumulative engine cycles. Engines that don’t meet the threshold will be subjected to a high-RPM engine cycle procedure to simulate wear.
If they still fail to pass, Ford will replace the engine at no cost to the customer. The affected engines are the 2.7- and 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 mills, which are part of the Nano family introduced in the 2015 F-150. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine is not included in this recall.
Ford will notify affected customers by mail in October and offer a VIN lookup tool to check if their vehicle is included. Meanwhile, Ford Performance has released a performance upgrade for the 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine in the Ranger Raptor and Bronco Raptor. For $825, customers can increase torque output from 430 or 440 pound-feet to 536 pound-feet.
