NPR News

Ford is recalling about 39,000 SUVS after 16 catch fire under the hood

Published May 20, 2022 at 7:17 AM EDT

FILE - A Ford logo is seen on signage at Country Ford in Graham, N.C., Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Ford is issuing two recalls covering over 737,000 vehicles, Friday, April 1, 2022, to fix oil leaks and trailer braking systems that won't work. Ford says in government documents posted Thursday, May 19, 2022, is asking the owners of 350,000 vehicles in to take them to dealers for repairs in three recalls, including about 39,000 that should be parked outdoors because the engines can catch fire. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)

Ford is recalling more than 39,000 SUVs after 16 under-the-hood fires, the company said.

The recall covers certain 2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles in the United States that were built between December 2020 and April 2021. The company is urging customers to park their cars "outside and away from structures."

Of the 16 reported incidents, 12 cars were off and parked when the fires started. The company said this week 14 of the incidents were in cars owned by rental companies.

Ford said it started investigating the fires in March but has not yet identified a cause. The company said incidents are believed to begin in the back of the engine compartment, near the vehicle's passenger side.

The company has identified one injury related to the recall, but no crashes.

"We are working around-the-clock to determine the root cause of this issue and subsequent remedy so that customers can continue to enjoy using their vehicles," Jeffrey Marentic, general manager of Ford Passenger Vehicles, said in a statement.