Today, Ford Australia announced a voluntary recall exercise involving the Territory SUV and Ranger ute, due to a part failure within the automatic gearbox. With 10,520 cars affected, this is certainly no small matter.
In the recall notice, Ford explained that a faulty output shaft speed sensor, sending intermittent or faulty signals, can cause the automatic gearbox to downshift into first gear. The notice said this “could cause an abrupt wheel speed reduction,” resulting in a driven-wheel lock up, which dramatically increases the risk of accident and/or injury.
As such, we advise all affected owners get in touch with Ford’s Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-503-672 for more information, and arrange to have the offending sensor replaced as soon as possible.
Until then, owners of Territory SUVs (built between 19th September 2011-5th February 2013) and Ranger utes (built between 5th November 2011 and 7th November 2012) drive at moderate speed with extreme caution.
Affected owners will be contacted directly by Ford Australia via mail, though we would like to stress again that owners are advised to visit their local Ford dealership at the soonest possible convenience.
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