Ford Recalls Multiple Models for Potential Oil Leaks
The recall affects 1,157 Taurus, Flex, Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility, and Lincoln MKT vehicles with 3.5-liter GTDI engines — all in the 2016 or 2017 model years.
Photo of Ford Explorer courtesy of Ford.
Photo of Ford Explorer courtesy of Ford.
Ford Motor Co. is recalling 1,157 Ford Taurus, Flex, Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility, and Lincoln MKT vehicles with 3.5-liter GTDI engines so U.S. dealers can inspect and replace leaking turbocharger oil supply tubes, the automaker said.
The recall covers the following vehicles:
2016-model year Ford Taurus vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant from Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 2, 2016
2016- and 2017-MY Ford Flex vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant from Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 10, 2016
2017-MY Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant from Oct. 15, 2016 to Nov. 12, 2016
2017-MY Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant on Nov. 2, 2016
2016- and 2017-MY Lincoln MKT vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant from Oct. 18, 2016 to Nov. 10, 2016.
In these vehicles, improperly brazed turbocharger oil supply tubes may leak engine oil on the turbocharger and surrounding components. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire, Ford said in a released statement about the recall. The company noted, however, that it isn’t aware of any related fires, accidents, or injuries.
Dealers will inspect and replace, as needed, right-hand and left-hand turbocharger oil supply tubes. There will be no charge for this service.
In addition to the 1,157 vehicles recalled in the U.S., Ford is recalling 126 in Canada and six in federalized territories for the same problem. Ford’s reference number for this recall is 16S46.
More Safety
The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology
You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness
Read More →
NETS Sets 2026 Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference for Indianapolis
The Sept. 15–17 program will feature fleet benchmarking data, case studies, emerging technologies, and implementation strategies while running alongside the NSC Safety Congress & Expo.
Read More →
Off-the-Job Crashes Account for 43% of Employers’ $61.7 Billion Crash Burden
NETS quantifies costs dispersed across fleet, risk, HR, and other departments while providing new per-crash benchmarks for employers.
Read More →
Ram Recalls More Than 1.27 Million 1500 Pickups for Seat Belt Anchor Issue
The recall affects certain 2019-2026 Ram 1500 pickups that may have improperly attached second-row seat belt buckle anchors.
Read More →
How Better Visibility Cut Speeding Violations by 48%
Fleet leaders don't need more data, they need clearer visibility into what the data is saying. This case study explores how one utility replaced speeding-event counts with a single metric — miles driven in violation — to strengthen safety and significantly reduce speeding violations.
Read More →
Operation Safe Driver Week: Why the Industry's Oldest Safety Campaign Still Matters to Fleets
A look at how a 2007 enforcement initiative became one of the most consequential weeks on the fleet safety calendar, and what it means for your drivers in 2026.
Read More →
Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset
Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.
Read More →
From Silos to Solutions: Relationship Management for Safer Fleets
From telematics adoption and driver accountability to policy consistency and risk mitigation, this episode breaks down what it really takes to build a safer fleet culture without slowing business down.
Read More →
IIHS Launches First Commercial Vehicle Safety Evaluations
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has begun evaluating heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans for driver protection. Which models earned top marks?
Read More →