Ford recalls 16,000 Rangers over factory tow bar
BY HAITHAM RAZAGUI | 22nd Aug 2012
The recall includes XLT and Wildtrack variants built between September 18, 2006 and June 17, 2011 that came standard with factory-fitted tow bars.
It does not affect variants fitted with an optional or aftermarket tow bar or the current-generation PX Ranger that launched in Australia last September.
An official recall notice posted on the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) website said “the tow bar assembly fitted to affected vehicles may develop weld fracturing around the towbar tongue”.
“Fracturing of the tow bar tongue welding can affect safe operation and handling when an affected vehicle is towing, presenting a potential traffic hazard to the driver and/or other road users.”Ford Australia brand communications manager Neil McDonald told GoAuto letters have been sent to owners of affected vehicles, who are advised not to use the tow bar until their local Ford dealership has carried inspection and rectification.
He said the issue was originally discovered by a customer in Queensland and there have been a total of four reported instances of a partial separation of the weld but no accidents or injuries.
Vehicles affected include 4244 XLT variants of the pre-facelift PJ Ranger built between 2006 and 2008, with the remaining 11,812 the newer PK built between 2009 and 2011, of which around 90 per cent are XLT variants and 10 per cent Wildtraks.
In New Zealand 231 PK Wildrack variants built between 2009 and 2011 are being recalled.
Australian customers unsure of whether their vehicles are affected are invited to call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre toll-free on 1300 503672.
Mazda Australia public relations manager Steve Maciver told GoAuto the tow bar of Mazda’s previous-generation BT-50, mechanical twin to the Ranger and built at the same Thai factory, is unaffected by the recall.
Ford Australia previously recalled the Ranger in September 2010 over two separate problems – potential failure of bonnet latch on around 30,000 PJ and PK Rangers, and potential broken brackets holding automatic transmission shift cables on 4110 automatic PJ Rangers.
