Ford has announced a significant recall of nearly 50,000 vehicles due to an issue with a faulty software update, dubbed recall 25V-159 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This recall concerns the Lincoln Corsair, which has been produced in the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, as well as the Ford Escape and Aviator, manufactured at the Chicago Assembly Plant in Illinois. It appears that these affected vehicles, produced for model years from 2020 to 2023, were not equipped with the correct software version before they left the factory.
The timeline for this recall is tight, with dealers required to install the necessary software update by April 24, 2025. Additionally, owners of the affected vehicles will receive notifications by mail between April 24 and May 1, 2025, informing them about the required updates.
The Lincoln Corsair, particularly the Grand Touring edition, is marketed as a luxury compact SUV capable of achieving impressive fuel efficiency. When operating in electric vehicle mode, it can travel up to 27 miles (43 kilometers). Without electrical assistance, it achieves 33 miles per gallon (7.1 liters per 100 kilometers). The two-liter turbocharged inline-four engine version of the Corsair sees these figures adjust to 25 mpg (9.4 l/100 km) in front-wheel drive configuration and 24 mpg (9.8 l/100 km) with all-wheel drive.
Transitioning to the Aviator model, this three-row luxury SUV is priced starting at $58,930. Ford recently updated the Aviator for the 2025 model year by dropping the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain due to low customer interest, with only 14 percent of buyers opting for this feature in previous models. The Aviator is powered by a twin-turbo three-liter V6 engine and provides a robust 400 horsepower alongside an impressive torque output of 415 pound-feet (563 Newton-meters), delivering solid performance for a vehicle of its size.
In terms of fuel efficiency on the highway, the Aviator is rated to reach either 21 or 20 mpg (11.2 or 11.8 liters per 100 kilometers) on the EPA's combined test cycle, which is commendable for a vehicle weighing 4,745 pounds (2,152 kilograms).
The Ford Explorer, meanwhile, remains a less expensive option with a base price of $39,855. It comes standard with a turbocharged inline-four engine, while a six-cylinder variant is available, producing comparable power outputs as seen in the Aviator.
This recall highlights Ford's ongoing commitment to vehicle safety and customer satisfaction, as they seek to rectify the software issue to prevent any potential operational difficulties that may arise from using vehicles with outdated software.
As the company navigates the challenges associated with this recall, it emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all affected vehicles are up to date with the latest software standards, thus maintaining the quality and reliability Ford is known for. It remains crucial for owners of the Lincoln Corsair and Ford Aviator to promptly act upon receiving their notification letters to ensure their vehicles perform optimally.
