Dive Brief:
- Ford Motor Co. has recalled roughly 499,000 vehicles for rear brake hoses that could rupture and leak hydraulic fluid, which can lead to excessive pedal travel or reduced stopping performance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The recalled vehicles include the 2015-2018 Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX mid-size crossovers. It’s the second brake-related recall for these models following an April 2021 recall for front brake hose leaks.
- A remedy is currently under development, but replacement parts are not expected to be available until April 2026. Ford is notifying owners about the recall and elevated safety risk in letters expected to be mailed starting Sept. 8. A second letter will be sent once the parts are available.
Dive Insight:
The automaker was contacted by the NHTSA in March 2021, after the agency received five vehicle owner questionnaires alleging brake hose leaks on 2016-2017 Ford Edge models.
In its subsequent investigation that led to the first recall, Ford identified 17 warranty claims in the U.S. for leaking rear brake hoses on model year 2015-2017 Edge vehicles. Its investigators also noted brake warning lights on the instrument cluster of some vehicles and/or excessive brake pedal travel, including one allegation of reduced brake performance.
The recalled vehicles were built at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex from June 2014 through December 2017.
However, Ford was not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the condition, nor did it appear to be a widespread issue. Therefore, the automaker continued to monitor field reports related to this concern as part of a routine follow-up, per the recall report.
On July 8, 2024, the NHTSA again contacted Ford after it received a total of 37 vehicle owner questionnaires in the 36-month period after the April 2021 recall alleging rear brake fluid leaks on 2015-2017 Edge models.
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group opened an investigation in July 2024, after identifying an uptick in brake hose repair rates on the affected vehicle models in the U.S. and shared its findings with the NHTSA in August 2024.
At the time, Ford’s CCRG determined that the problem “was not an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety,” noting that customers would observe a red brake warning light on the dash well before a low fluid condition that could impact stopping performance. Ford closed its investigation on Sept. 10, 2024.
But on Oct. 3, 2024, the NHTSA opened a preliminary safety evaluation to investigate additional allegations of a loss of brake function from owners of 2015-2017 Edge vehicles. Ford responded to the NHTSA safety probe in November and December 2024.
On July 23, 2025, Ford’s CCRG met again with the NHTSA for a technical briefing on the agency’s ongoing analysis of the issue. NHTSA investigators also shared their concerns with Ford about potential rear brake hose leaks on Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, leading Ford's CCRG to reopen its initial investigation on July 29.
Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concerns and approved the recall on Aug. 15.
Although the root cause of rear brake hose ruptures has not been fully determined, Ford said it observed a significant decline of brake hose repairs after a production change in December 2017 in which the brake hose’s inner and outer rubber braid material was manufactured using a different polymer to increase its durability, according to the recall report. The brake hoses were sourced from Tier 1 supplier Proterial Cable America and manufactured at a facility in Mexico.
As of June 9, 2025, Ford was aware of 64 warranty claims, three field reports and 16 customer complaints related to rear brake hose leaks. Once the remedy parts are available next spring, customers will be directed to schedule a dealer service appointment to have the repairs performed.
Both the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX were discontinued after the 2018 model year.
The latest recall bring Ford’s year-to-date recall count to 109, which potentially extends to over 7.8 million vehicles, according to NHTSA data. The automaker’s recalls last month include 103,000 F-150 pickups for broken rear axle hub bolts and 312,000 SUV and pickups for a loss of electronic power brake assist.
