The Ford Expedition recall for center console issues can affect your safety and your right to compensation after an injury in a Florida car accident. Orlando car accident attorneys can help you connect this recall to a crash or injury and pursue claims for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Ford Expedition Recall Explained
The Ford Expedition recall covers about 548,463 SUVs from model years 2018–2024 because the chrome trim on the console can bubble, peel, and create sharp edges that may cut occupants’ hands or fingers while driving or reaching for controls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report explains that the chrome plating can separate from the base material, leaving a dangerous edge that has already been linked to at least one accident and dozens of reported injuries worldwide.
Ford told regulators that supplier issues caused the trim to be produced outside of Ford’s specifications, leading to the bubbling and peeling problem over time. The recall applies to certain 2018–2024 Expeditions built between March 14, 2017, and December 3, 2024, and identified under Ford recall number 26S38 and NHTSA campaign number 26V-368.
Owners will receive recall letters in stages: an interim notice advising of the risk and a later notice once replacement parts are widely available, which may not be until early 2027. When the fix is ready, Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the console and replace it for free if they find bubbling or peeling chrome.
Safety Risks and Injury Claims
The recalled Ford Expedition problem is not just a cosmetic issue; the sharp chrome edge can cut your hand or fingers when you shift, buckle your seat belt, reach for the cupholder, or grab your phone. NHTSA filings and news reports note at least 65 injuries tied to these sharp edges, with some drivers needing professional medical care, plus at least one accident linked to the defect.
If a cut, distraction, or sudden pain from a sharp console edge contributes to a crash, that may support a claim involving both product liability and traditional negligence in a Florida car accident case. Authoritative safety resources like the NHTSA recall database and consumer sites such as Consumer Reports can help document the defect history and show how long the issue has been known.
Orlando car accident attorneys at Martinez Manglardi can review your medical records, photos of the console, and recall paperwork to determine whether the Ford Expedition recall strengthens your claim. They can also coordinate with experts to explain how the console defect caused or worsened your injuries, which is especially important in cases involving hand injuries that affect work or daily activities.
What Ford Expedition Owners Should Do
Because the Ford Expedition recall centers on physical inspection and replacement, owners should take practical steps to protect their health and any future claim. First, check your VIN on the official NHTSA recall page or Ford’s recall site to confirm whether your SUV is affected. Next, schedule an inspection with a Ford or Lincoln dealer as soon as the recall repair is available, and ask them to document any bubbling or peeling you report or they observe.
If you suffer cuts, scarring, or other injuries from the center console, seek medical care and keep copies of all records, bills, and photos of the console and your wounds. In a Florida crash involving the Ford Expedition recall, Orlando car accident attorneys can help collect dealer records, recall notices, and service histories to show that a dangerous defect existed when the collision occurred.
Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation with an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport.