DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model-year 2021-2023 F-150 pickup trucks whose electronic parking brakes might suddenly activate, thus potentially resulting in a dangerous driving situation.
The 870,701 trucks within the recall population are equipped with a single-exhaust systems. The affected vehicles have a rear-axle wiring harness bundle which might come in contact with the exhaust system.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-509, the cause of the condition is: “Over time, contact with the rear axle housing can cause the abrasion resistant tape and circuit insulation of the wiring harness assembly to wear, exposing the wiring.”
The exposed wiring could lead to a short circuit which would cause the parking-brake activation.
NHTSA detailed the safety risk as, “Damaged electric parking brake wiring may lead to inadvertent parking brake application while driving, potentially resulting in loss of control of the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.”
The parking-brake warning light might illuminate on the F-150 dash, thus warning a driver of a problem with the system.
Of the 918 warranty claims related to this condition, Ford, according to NHTSA, is aware of 299 which led to parking-brake activation, 19 of which occurred while the trucks were being driven. However, no reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue were reported.
The remedy is replacement of the rear-axle wiring bundle should an by technician at a certified Ford dealership inspection determine the original is damaged.
Ford dealers and owners are scheduled to be notified as to the recall by Sept. 11th.
