Ford Truck Noise Rattles Owners
Some newer Ford trucks are making noises—abnormal, ear-piercing sounds that have frightened drivers and potentially affected their hearing, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Several dozen consumers have filed complaints with federal regulators at the National Highway Safety Administration and hundreds have complained to Ford.
The sounds have been described as shattering glass and blaring static resembling a sonic boom. In some cases, sounds persisted even after the vehicle was shut off. One driver said his ears rang for days following the noise incident. So sudden and extreme are these sounds that they could pose a safety issue. The sounds could startle drivers, causing a sudden reaction that could lead to an accident. Another danger is potential hearing loss. One driver’s Apple watch measured the sound at 109-decibles. The report noted that, at 100 decibels, only a few minutes of exposure is safe.
The audio issue is related to the amplifier in the vehicle’s sound system, noted the article. It affects newer pickups and SUVs, including the 2021-23 F-150 pickups and Expedition SUVs and the 2022 F-150 Lighting Electric F-Series pickup truck that has been a bestseller for Ford.
Under federal law, car companies must issue a recall if a known defect poses a hazard. Ford developed a software fix and issued a service bulletin to dealers. However, they did not issue a recall. Customers may get their vehicles repaired at a dealership or through a downloadable update. A Ford spokesperson said that the company doesn’t believe it is “the level of a recall-able safety defect.”
Recalls and defects can be inconvenient, but also can lead to injury with lifelong effects. If you would like to speak to a top Product Liability attorney in Philadelphia, contact us to schedule a time to meet.