Roof cover detachment problem forces Ford to recall 661,000 Explorer SUVs

The US regulators advised Ford Motor Company to recall its Explorer sport because loose retention pins could cause the roof rail covers to detach themselves from the vehicle.

This recall will affect the 661,000 Explorer model of the period between 2016 and 2019. The announcement said that Dealers will install pushpins and replace damaged rail clips and roof rail covers.

In early 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked the second-largest US automaker to investigate the 11 roof rail cover detachment reports, but the carmaker dismissed them as unnecessary. According to the documents, Ford said that the likelihood of roof rail detaching from the vehicle was low because it is light, and drivers can easily detect a loose roof rail cover.

To alleviate these fears, the company said that it will extend its warranty for 10 years or 150,000 miles in November. However, it accepted the recall suggestion on April 30.  

It will recall vehicles with silver, black or absolute black roof rail covers beginning the week of June 28. The recall comprises 620,483 in the US, 36,419 in Canada and 4,260 vehicles in Mexico.

The announcement said that Ford wasn’t aware of any accident or injury linked to the condition. Explorers vehicle owners are requested to take this model to any Ford dealer to have pushpins installed and damaged rail clips or roof covers replaced without charges.  

Contact any Ford dealer near you to find out whether your Explorer is affected.