Ford Recalls Police-Spec Explorers Due to Engine Fire Risk

Recall Details

• Ford is recalling 85,238 Explorers fitted with the Police Interceptor Utility package.
• The 2020-2022 SUVs fitted with V6 gas and hybrid engines are at risk of catching fire if the engine fails.
• Consumer versions of the Explorer aren’t being recalled because they don’t tend to receive the same abuse.

Ford is recalling more than 85,000 police-spec Explorers due to the risk of engine fires during hot pursuits. The affected vehicles are 2020-2022 Explorers equipped with V6 gas and hybrid engines. The recall does not include consumer versions of the Explorer.

Engine Fire Risk

All of the affected vehicles are fitted with Ford’s 3.3-liter combustion and hybrid V6 powertrains. Ford has discovered that these engines could fail prematurely, releasing significant quantities of engine oil and fuel vapor into the engine bay. If these substances come into contact with the hot exhaust, they can ignite and cause a fire.

Investigation and Action

Ford began investigating the issue in July 2023 after receiving reports of engine fires in Explorer Interceptors. The investigation revealed 13 instances of engine bay fires caused by connecting rod fractures. Ford had previously made improvements to the rod material to reduce engine replacements. Consumer versions of the Explorer are not being recalled.

Instructions for Police Drivers

Police drivers are advised to watch out for unusual engine noises, power loss, and smoke. Ford dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software to better alert drivers of potential engine failures. Service technicians will also inspect the engines for rod bearing failure and replace the long block assembly if necessary.