- Ford just issued a ‘Do Not Drive’ warning for two Bronco drivers.
- Both vehicles may have control arms that could loosen while driving.
- The issue was caught through camera footage captured during production
Recalls seem to be more frequent these days, and while some of that can be attributed to the usual bumps in the production process, technology is playing a significant role as well. Thanks to improved monitoring systems, automakers are able to identify errors more quickly and efficiently. A recent Ford recall highlights how modern tech helps manufacturers stay ahead of potential issues, catching problems before they become bigger concerns.
The problem in question? A fastener that connects the front upper control arm to the steering knuckle. On April 2, Ford discovered a Ranger pickup with just 200 miles on the clock that was missing this key fastener. This raised a red flag, and Ford immediately launched an investigation into how the vehicle could have left the factory without it.
More: Ford Can’t Stop Recalling Cars, Drops Five More At Once
What was discovered eight days later was a video camera that captured the connection between the control arm and the knuckle. It also happened to record footage of the Bronco production line. After a thorough review, Ford identified two issues: a pair of Broncos that “may have an unsecured joint”. If that joint were to come apart, it could result in a loss of directional control.
As such, Ford has taken the precautionary step of advising owners not to drive their vehicles until they’ve been repaired. In fact, it’s going to tow these Broncos into the dealership as a matter of caution. The automaker even released the call script it’s using to alert the two owners about the problem.
“We are contacting you because we are instructing owners not to drive their vehicles. There is a potential manufacturing concern with the front upper control arm ball joint on your vehicle that could result in partial loss of directional control while driving,” it reads.
By the time you read this, those owners will have already been notified via email or phone. Ford dealers were informed on April 11. This proactive approach is clearly the right move, and it’s reassuring to see Ford put safety first. Decades ago, it’s hard to imagine any automaker being able to catch such an issue and fix it before it escalated. While recalls may be on the rise, there’s a silver lining to take away from that statistic.
