When it comes to fitting chunky off-road tires onto vehicles originally designed for on-road driving, ensuring proper clearance is paramount. Unfortunately, Ford has faced challenges in this area with its Transit Trail off-road van, leading to a recall due to front tires rubbing against the body under specific conditions.
The recall affects Transit Trail vans spanning the 2023-2024 model years, impacting a total of 1,902 units in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a recall notice on March 22, highlighting that certain braking, steering, and vehicle loading scenarios may cause a front tire to come into contact with the corresponding front wheel arch liner and body flange.
Owners may discern tire rubbing audibly, and repeated contact could potentially lead to rapid air loss or tread-belt separation, posing a risk to vehicle control. As Ford continues its investigation into the root cause of the issue, the recall notice suggests that a contracted vehicle modifier may not have adequately considered front tire clearance during modifications.
Specifically, the 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse AT tire has been implicated. While a solution is currently in progress, affected owners can expect to receive updates via mail, with notification letters slated for dispatch on April 8.
For further information or assistance, owners are encouraged to contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or reach out to the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236, referencing recall campaign number 24V-226.
