June 11 - The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Ford is recalling 548,463 vehicles in the United States due to a defect in the center console, according to the regulator.
The issue involves the chrome plating on the center console, which the NHTSA said may bubble and peel over time. That deterioration can expose sharp edges along the trim, creating an increased risk of injury for passengers who come into contact with those surfaces.
The recall applies to certain Ford Expedition models from 2018 through 2024. The NHTSA said the problem may stem from the center console chrome trim being manufactured by a supplier using parameters that did not meet Ford specifications. The agency presented the supplier's manufacturing parameters as the potential cause but did not provide further technical detail in its announcement.
As the prescribed remedy, the regulator said dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the center consoles as necessary. These inspections and any required replacements will be performed free of charge to vehicle owners, the NHTSA said.
The announcement identifies the NHTSA as the reporting authority and cites the recall volume and model-year range without additional context on timelines for owner notification or the number of replacements expected to be performed.
Summary of the recall action
- The recall covers 548,463 U.S. vehicles.
- Affected models are certain 2018-2024 Ford Expedition vehicles.
- The defect concerns chrome plating on the center console that can bubble, peel and produce sharp edges.
- Dealers will inspect and replace center consoles as needed at no cost to owners, per the NHTSA.
Notes on the reported cause
The NHTSA statement indicates the chrome trim was produced by a supplier under manufacturing parameters that did not meet Ford specifications. The agency framed that supplier process as the possible origin of the defect; the announcement did not include additional technical data or a broader explanation beyond that point.