Adequate clearance is important when adding thick off-road tires, especially when the vehicle was originally designed for on-road driving.
Ford has experienced what happens when there is insufficient clearance with its Transit Trail off-road vanwhich was recovered due to the front tires rubbing against the body under certain conditions.
The recall affects 2023-2024 model year Transit Trail vans, and 1,902 examples are affected in the U.S.
According to the recall notice published by NHTSA on March 22, a front tire may contact the corresponding front wheel arch liner and body flange under certain braking, steering and vehicle loading conditions. Owners will likely be able to hear if one or more tires are rubbing.
Ford Transit Trail 2023
Repeated tire contact with the surrounding bodywork can lead to rapid loss of air or tread separation, which can result in loss of vehicle control.
Ford is still investigating the cause, but the recall notice states that a vehicle modifier hired by Ford for the Transit Trail may not have fully taken into account front tire clearance. The specific tire is a 30.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse AT.
A solution is being developed and affected owners will be notified by mail of any updates.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on April 8, but anyone looking for more information can contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (recall campaign number reference 24V-226) .
