Ford Recalling Over a Quarter of a Million Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators for Brake Issue

A brake line issue is causing Ford to recall 223,315 Ford Expeditions and 50,474 Lincoln Navigators from model years 2022 to 2024. The total number of affected vehicles is 273,789. Though that is a huge amount, only 1 percent of the full-size three-row SUVs are estimated to have the defect.

So, what's the issue? During final assembly, the front brake line could have been bent while the engine was being installed, putting it in contact with the engine air cleaner outlet pipe. This might cause a brake line leak, which, of course, affects how well the brakes work. If fluid leaks, or air enters the system, braking performance can deteriorate or even cease altogether.

If you own or regularly drive an Expedition or Navigator from the affected model years and notice an increase in brake pedal travel or feel, this could be why. Continuing to drive while there's a brake line leak could drain the brake fluid from the master cylinder and a brake warning light will eventually turn on.

Owners will receive a mailed notification at the end of May with instructions to take their cars to a dealer for inspection. If the defect is found, the dealer will replace the faulty brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe as necessary. If you performed this repair out of your own pocket prior to the recall notice, you could get reimbursed.

There have only been a handful of recalls affecting these particular Expeditions and Navigators, but 39,000 2020 and 2021 models were recalled three years ago over a fire risk. It was a fairly significant recall, as at least 16 fires were reported and one person was injured.