Recall Alert: 420,000 Ford Sedans, SUVs

Ford is recalling more than 420,000 model-year 2013 sedans and SUVs to check for fuel-tank leaks that could result in a fire; affected models include the 2013 Ford Fusion, Flex, Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor sedans and SUVs, as well as the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, MKS and MKT. In addition, Ford also announced two more separate recalls to address problems with engine-block heater cords in 500 model-year 2013 Lincoln MKZ sedans and steering gears in a small number of 2013 Ford Fusion sedans.

In the largest of the recalls, as of March 31, Ford had received 600 consumer complaints pertaining to potential leaks in the vehicles' fuel-delivery module, which could result in a fire. Ford said there had been no reports of fires or injuries as a result of the leaks.

"The condition could result in customers detecting an odor of fuel, or in some cases, observe evidence of a fuel leak on the ground," said Kelli Felker, Ford safety communications manager, in a statement. "While a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire, there have been no reports of fires. We are not aware of any accidents or injuries attributed to this condition."

Recall Alert: 3,037 Ford and Lincoln Sedans and SUVs

Ford is recalling 3,037 model-year 2012 Taurus and 2012 Lincoln MKS sedans and 2013 Ford Explorer SUVs due to leaky fuel tanks, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The affected vehicles were manufactured between July 19, 2011, and March 15, 2012, and their fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed side seam, which may not be strong enough in an impact. This could cause the tanks to leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Ford will begin notifying owners on April 22, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary for free. Owners may call Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236; for more info, go to www.safercar.gov.

Related
Recall Alert: 2011 Ford Explorer
More Safety News on Cars.com
Read about Other Recalls

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Perhaps using its imposing makeover for 2013 to scare off competitors, the Toyota RAV4 continued its reign of terror atop our list of most-read reviews of the week. The compact crossover's nearest opponent, the 2013 Ford Fusion, generated a little more than a third of RAV4's reader interest. Maybe newcomers to the list, including the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid (No. 6) and the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid (No. 10), will gain enough confidence in coming weeks to face down the RAV4.

Until then, check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2013 Ford Fusion
3. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
4. 2013 Ford Explorer
5. 2013 Ford Escape
6. 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
7. 2013 Toyota Avalon
8. 2013 Nissan Altima
9. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
10. 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

The 2013 RAV4 held off the competition once again to retain the top spot among our most-read reviews of the week. It was joined by some fresh faces this week: the 2013 models of the Hyundai Sante Fe Sport, Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Fusion Hybrid landed at Nos. 6, 7 and 8, respectively, squeezing the Cadillac ATS, Mazda CX-5 and Acura RDX out of the top 10. Meanwhile, the Toyota Avalon, Ford Fusion and Ford Escape gained some ground, as the Ford Explorer, Nissan Altima and Subaru XV Crosstrek lost their footing.

Check out what was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
2. 2013 Toyota Avalon
3. 2013 Ford Fusion
4. 2013 Ford Escape
5. 2013 Ford Explorer
6. 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
7. 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
8. 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
9. 2013 Nissan Altima
10. Subaru XV Crosstrek

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

Despite some midlist musical chairs, this week's most-read reviews played a familiar tune. The 2013 Toyota RAV4 and 2013 Ford Explorer held their ground at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The 2013 models of the Toyota Avalon, Acura RDX, Subaru XV Crosstrek and Ford Escape simply rearranged third through sixth place. Meanwhile, the 2013 Ford Fusion entered at No. 7, bumping the Nissan Altima to No. 8; the 2013 Mazda CX-5 ascended one spot to No. 9, forcing out the Honda Accord to make room for the 2013 Cadillac ATS in 10th.

Check out what was popular this week:

• 1. 2013 Toyota RAV4
• 2. 2013 Ford Explorer
• 3. 2013 Toyota Avalon
• 4. 2013 Acura RDX
• 5. 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek
• 6. 2013 Ford Escape
• 7. 2013 Ford Fusion
• 8. 2013 Nissan Altima
• 9. 2013 Mazda CX-5
• 10. 2013 Cadillac ATS

Most-Read Car Reviews of the Week

There wasn't a lot of movement among our most-read reviews this week, with six of the top 10 spots going unchanged and the 2013 Toyota RAV4 holding onto first place. The Toyota Avalon jumped two spots to No. 5, bumping the Acura RDX and Nissan Altima down to sixth and seventh place, respectively. The Chevrolet Equinox entered the list in eighth place, knocking the Audi A4 off completely as the Honda Accord and Mazda CX-5 held their places at ninth and 10th.

Check out what else was popular this week:

1. 2013 Toyota RAV4

2. 2013 Ford Explorer

3. 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek

4. 2013 Ford Escape

5. 2013 Toyota Avalon

6. 2013 Acura RDX

7. 2013 Nissan Altima

8. 2013 Chevrolet Equinox

9. 2013 Honda Accord

10. 2013 Mazda CX-5

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer continues to widen the already-formidable gap between it and competing SUVs, thanks in part to the Sport model. With its 365-horsepower, turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, the all-wheel-drive Sport offers respectable fuel economy and dynamic handling; Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays calls it a "performance bargain" at $42,000. Still, nagging shortcomings persist, including poor forward visibility; a tight, difficult-to-access third row; and the albatross of the unreliable MyFord Touch. Bottom line: The Explorer is indisputably the most popular kid in class, but get to know some other classmates before making it your BFF.

2013 Ford Explorer Review

2011 Ford Explorer Priced at $28,190

Explorer-mania continues as Ford has posted pricing for the 2011 Ford Explorer on its retail site. The redesigned and re-engineered Explorer will start at $28,190. The destination fee is an additional $805. 

The Explorer comes in base, XLT and Limited trims. Every Explorer comes standard with power windows, locks and mirrors; keyless entry; cruise control; spotter mirrors; air conditioning with filtration system; LED taillamps; steering-wheel-mounted controls; and a bevy of safety features such as trailer-sway control, hill start assist and “Curve Control,” an aggressive stability control program. 

All models come standard with a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 237-hp, turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be an option on all trims. Front-wheel drive comes standard; an intelligent four-wheel-drive system is optional with the V-6. An optional inflatable second-row seat belt is also available, but there’s no word on pricing or availability.

In the marketplace, the new Explorer competes against the Chevy Traverse ($29,224), Honda Pilot ($28,045) and Mazda CX-9 ($28,805). 

Below are the standard features and options for each model: 

More Details on the 2011 Ford Explorer

UPDATE: While our source below claimed a specific highway mileage number, according to other sources it is unlikely that in this application any turbo four-cylinder engine would reach highway mileage over 30 mpg. 

ORIGINAL POST: Ford announced today that it will build its next-generation Explorer at its Chicago Assembly Plant. That came as little surprise; there have been reports of this move for some time. What’s surprising is the Explorer — based on the Explorer America concept shown above — won’t be unveiled at next month’s Chicago Auto Show — a seemingly logical place, given it’s a hometown car — or, for that matter, April’s New York auto show. Rather, Ford will unveil the car this summer, Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant manager Jan Allman said.
 
The next Explorer will be built on a car-based unibody platform and have significantly improved gas mileage — “at least 25 percent” better than the outgoing Explorer’s — rated at 14/20 mpg city/highway in six-cylinder form, said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas. Ford will hire or transfer 1,200 additional workers to help assemble the Explorer, effectively doubling the employees at the Chicago facility. The cars currently built there — the Taurus and Lincoln MKS — combined for more than 60,000 sales in 2009 to the current Explorer’s 52,190, and Ford clearly expects headier days for its once-iconic SUV.
 
Ford has been retooling the plant — part of a $180 million investment in both the Chicago Assembly Plant and Ford’s Chicago Heights, Ill., stamping plant — for some time to accommodate the new Explorer, which goes on sale the fourth quarter of this year. An assembly worker standing courtside at this morning’s press conference inside the assembly plant said a few prototypes were currently at the plant. Naturally, they were out of sight from journalists, but he gave us a few details. Because of the sensitivity of the information we’re not revealing his name.
 
Ford spokesman Jay Ward wouldn’t confirm or deny most of the details, except to reiterate that the Explorer will move to a unibody platform and offer significantly better gas mileage than before.

Ford Introduces Inflatable Seat Belts

For 20 years we’ve seen leaps in car-safety innovation from the airbag to electronic stability control. Today, Ford announced one more piece of technology that aims to reduce even more injuries. The company will roll out inflatable seat belts for the rear seats in future models, starting with the next-generation Ford Explorer that’s transitioning from a body-on-frame SUV to a crossover when it goes on sale in 2010.

Inflatable seat belts will reduce the trauma that standard seat belts can inflict on both young children and seniors. Ford says the new system will reduce head, neck and chest trauma.

The airbags deploy within 40 milliseconds of a crash; otherwise they work the same as standard seat belts and will be compatible with child-safety seats.

The seat-belt airbags will fill quickly with a cold compressed gas instead of using a heat-generating chemical reaction like traditional airbags.

Ford says the system will be introduced in future models down the line but gave no specifics on when it would hit family-friendly vehicles like the Flex and Taurus.