Month: January 2024

Ford is recalling nearly 1.9 million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. because a trim piece can fly off and create a hazard for other drivers. Documents posted Wednesday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that clips holding the trim that covers the roof supports close to the windshield can come loose; and if that happens, the trim piece can fly off and increase the risk of a crash.

The recall covers Explorers from the 2011 through 2019 model years; it comes after U.S. regulators opened an investigation into the problem last January after receiving 164 consumer complaints. Canadian regulators also inquired about the problem.

According to the documentation from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford initially decided against a recall, citing the low mass of the part, but decided to do the recall after U.S. regulators determined the problem was a safety hazard. Consumers can also reach the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Ford said in a statement Wednesday that it expects only 5% of the recalled Explorers to be affected by the problem, and it encourages owners to contact dealers for an inspection when parts are available. Dealers will inspect the trim pieces to make sure the clips are engaged and add adhesive to hold them in place. The company said that it’s aware of 568 consumer complaints and more than 14,000 warranty reports alleging that the parts were missing or detached. Ford said it is not aware of any crashes or injuries from the problem.

Owners will be notified starting March 13, with a second letter to follow when a remedy is available. Consumers with questions about their vehicles can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 24S02.

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The nose wheel of a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 jet fell off and rolled away while the plane was waiting on the runway for takeoff clearance. According to a preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration, Delta Air Lines Flight 982 was prepping for takeoff from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta on Saturday when the wheel “came off and rolled down the hill.”

Boeing declined to comment, instead directing inquiries to the airline. Delta said Wednesday that Flight 982 had 172 passengers, in addition to two pilots and four crew members, bound for Bogotá, the capital of Colombia.  Passengers were removed from the plane and later put on a replacement flight, with no injuries reported. Delta said in a statement Wednesday: “Delta Flight 982 ATL/BOG was taxiing for departure when a nose gear tire came loose from the landing gear. All customers and their bags were removed from the aircraft, transferred to the gate and onto a replacement aircraft. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.” The plane was put back into service the next day, Delta said. According to an online record of the plane’s history, it has been active since 1992.

The latest incident with a Boeing aircraft comes weeks after a panel on an Alaska Airlines flight blew out midflight, prompting the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes nationwide and an ongoing investigation. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said that an internal investigation had found that “many” Max 9 planes were found to have loose bolts.  In a separate incident, another Boeing plane, a 747 cargo jet, was seen spewing flames into the sky over Miami last week.

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/we-have-a-problem:-boeing-757-loses-wheel-during-taxi

Editorial credit: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com