2017 Ford Flex

Subject: Request for Review: 2017 Ford Flex Rear Suspension Toe Link Failure Outside Recall VIN Range To: NHTSA I am writing to formally request a review and consideration of my vehicle's eligibility for RECALL 20V072000 (Ford Recall 20S04), which addresses rear suspension toe link fractures on 2013-2018 Ford Flex models. My vehicle is a 2017 Ford Flex, and it recently experienced a failure of the right rear toe link, consistent with the failure mode described in the recall. However, after contacting my local Ford Dealership (Rowe Ford, Westbrook, ME) and the Ford Motor Company, I was informed that my VIN is not included in the recall coverage. I had the right rear toe link repaired and paid for it. I am concerned that the same issue could occur in my left rear toe link, so I am working to have that part preemptively replaced at my own expense. I believe that the exclusion of my vehicle by VIN may be inappropriate for the following reasons: 1. Model year and component match: My Flex falls well within the model years (2013-2018) covered by the recall, and the failed part is the exact component under scrutiny. 2. Failure occurred during normal driving conditions and almost caused an accident. 3. Ford's recall criteria appear overly narrow, possibly omitting vehicles that still contain defective parts, like my vehicle. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter and determine whether the VIN range for this recall should be expanded to include additional vehicles like mine that have experienced identical part failures with potential life threatening safety concerns. I have uploaded invoices from my local dealership repair facility. One invoice is for the work to replace the failed right rear toe link and the other is for preemptive replacement of the left rear toe link that I chose to commission on my own.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started wobbling. The contact then stated that the vehicle suddenly changed and drove as if the vehicle was merging, while intending to drive straight. The stability track warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear suspension toe links fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that a year prior, the vehicle was repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of the complimentary warranty and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was then advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle would fishtail while making turns or switching lanes. The contact stated that the rear of the vehicle was wobbly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the tie rods were malfunctioning and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension). The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

AWD indicator states off while driving at times without warning. Also leaking sludge. Now need to replace PTU and FORD AWD vehicles are known for this issue... Needs to be recalled as system can fail and explode.. This is supposed last the lifetime of the vehicle and is not set up for maintenance causing the system to fail. I am replacing with a unit that can be serviced every 30K miles. This is a safety issue.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Flex. The contact initially received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V072000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a second recall notice which stated that parts were now available. The dealer was contacted and informed that the parts remained unavailable despite having received a letter stating otherwise. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED MIKE RAISOR FORD (2051 SAGAMORE PKWY S, LAFAYETTE, IN 47905; (765) 447-9444) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

ON MONDAY, SEPT 28, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 5 (JUST BEFORE THE WEST MOUNTAIN VIEW OVERPASS IN FIREBAUGH CA) DOING 70 MPH, THE CAR BEGAN FISHTAILING ERRATICALLY - SWERVING BETWEEN LANES. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE OR EVEN ROLLING THE VEHICLE. (AT THE TIME THERE WAS AN AVERAGE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD.) WE INITIALLY BELIEVED THAT WHAT WE HAD EXPERIENCED WAS A BLOWOUT, BUT AFTER INSPECTION, ALL THE TIRES WERE FOUND TO BE INTACT. WE THEN SURMISED THAT WE HAD POSSIBLY HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD (LIKE A BLOWN TIRE REMNANT), BUT ALSO FOUND NOTHING. THE DRIVER AND BOTH PASSENGERS GOT BACK IN THE CAR TO SEE IF WE COULD PROCEED SLOWLY/SAFELY DOWN THE INTERSTATE TO THE NEXT EXIT IN ORDER TO CALL FOR SERVICE BUT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AGAIN, SO WE CALLED FOR A AAA TOW FROM THE INTERSTATE. WHILE WAITING FOR THE TOW TO ARRIVE, WE REINSPECTED THE TIRES AND FOUND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO BE TURNED OUT SLIGHTLY. THE CAR WAS TOWED VIA FLAT BED 124 MILES TO A FORD DEALER IN BAKERSFIELD WHERE IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DETERMINED TO BE A FAILED TOE LINK SUSPENSION ASSOCIATED WITH FORD RECALL 20S04. THE ISSUE NOW IS THAT THE REMEDY IS NOT YET AVAILABLE SO THE ORIGINAL STYLE PART WAS USED TO REPAIR JUST THE BROKEN PART THE DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE INSPECTED THE LEFT TOE LINK SUSPENSION AND FOUND NO REASON TO REPLACE IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. WOODY ANDERSON FORD (2500 JORDAN LN NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35810, (256) 513-4597) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD FLEX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V072000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT CALLED THE BOB RIDINGS DECATUR DEALER LOCATED AT 3103 N 22ND ST, DECATUR, IL 62526, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.