Ford has announced it is issuing a second recall of 320,000 Transit vans due to a problem with the drive shaft
It’s not too often we get to report on commercial vans, which is a universe unto itself that tends not to make headlines outside its specific sector. The newsworthy items tend to involve new model launches or… recalls.
Here we have an example of the second category.
Ford has announced it is issuing a new recall of close to 320,000 full-size Transit vans, used mainly by commercial enterprises. The problem relates to the drive shaft, which could break free if the coupling cracks, leading to a loss of power.
“In affected vehicles, the driveshaft flexible coupling may crack with increasing mileage, resulting in driveline noise and vibration. Continued driving with a cracked flexible coupling may cause separation of the driveshaft, resulting in a loss of motive power, or unintended vehicle movement in park without the parking brake applied. In addition, separation of the driveshaft can result in secondary damage to surrounding components, including brake and fuel lines. A driveshaft separation may increase the risk of injury or crash.”
- Ford statement
This actually constitutes the second time Ford has had to issue a recall over this issue. Ford says that it is not aware of any accidents or injuries arising from the problem.
The Transit models affected are from the 2015-2017 model-years, and were assembled at the company’s plant in Kansas City, Missouri, between January 17, 2014 and June 15, 2017.
While it continues to work on a permanent solution to the problem, Ford says that it will replace the coupling every 40,000 miles, or roughly every 64,000 km.