Ford is issuing a recall of about 85,000 Explorer Police Interceptor Utility vehicles due to potential engine failure that could lead to fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall on Friday for models from 2020 to 2022 equipped with 3.3L hybrid or gas engines. There have been reports of 13 incidents of under-hood fires in North America stemming from engine block breaches on Explorer PIU vehicles built with 3.3L engines before June 2022. No fires have been reported on non-police models.

The NHTSA warned that in case of engine failure, large amounts of oil or fuel vapor could be released under the hood, possibly accumulating near ignition sources and causing fires, localized melting, or smoke. Despite no accidents or injuries reported, Ford will be notifying vehicle owners by mail about the ongoing investigation and will provide updates when more information becomes available. Ford will recommend in the letter that if unexpected engine noises are heard, torque reduction is experienced, or smoke is seen from the engine compartment, owners should safely park the vehicle and turn off the engine immediately.

Ford is currently working on a service remedy for the issue, with parts and software expected to be ready by the second quarter of next year. Owners are advised to stay updated on the situation and follow safety precautions detailed in the upcoming letter from Ford.