Autoblog

Ford recalls 16,000 F-Series pickups over transmission concern

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:59:00 EST

Ford is recalling thousands of F-Series pickup trucks from the 2011 and 2012 model years over a transmission problem that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 114, theft protection." NHTSA reports that the transmissions in these defective trucks can be shifted out of the park position without pressing the brake pedal due to a problem with the brake shift interlock switch.

Affected models include 2011 F-150s built between September 9 and September 22, 2011, as well as F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 Heavy Duty trucks built between September 12 and September 22, 2011. A total of 16,091 trucks are included in this recall.

Ford dealers will inspect - and if necessary, replace - the brake shift interlock switch on these affected vehicles, free of charge. The official recall is expected to kick off in the coming days. Hit the jump for NHTSA's official release.

Continue reading Ford recalls 16,000 F-Series pickups over transmission concern

Ford recalls 16,000 F-Series pickups over transmission concern originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers

Zach Bowman — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Ford

If you thought 2010 was going to wrap up with an all quiet on the recall front, think again. Ford and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced the recall of 14,737 vehicles for a faulty body control module that may short out and cause a fire.

The recall covers certain 2011 models that were built in a six-day period, including some 2011 Edge, F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 and Lincoln MKX vehicles. NHTSA says that if the body control module shorts out, it could overheat and cause a fire.

Dealers are expected to inspect the module and, if necessary, replace it free of charge. NHTSA says that Ford plans to start the work on or before January 10, 2011, and that owners may contact Ford directly with questions at 1-866-436-7332. Hit the jump for a look at the full recall notice.

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers

Ford recalling nearly 15,000 F-Series and Edge/Lincoln MKX crossovers originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, New Car Reviews, Diesel

Industry Giant Still Working Hard to Stay Ahead

2011 Ford F-450 Lariat - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ask any economics professor - competition is a good thing. Exhibit A? The large pickup truck market. Ford F-Series trucks have been the number-one selling vehicle line in the United States for more than three decades, but the automaker has never grown complacent. Each new iteration has been bigger, badder and more capable than its predecessor, and that goes twofold for Dearborn's heavy-duty models.

Despite the fact that Toyota and Nissan never followed up their light-duty trucks with three-quarter or one-ton models, just the threat of such entries spurred Ford, General Motors and Dodge to significantly up their games. In the first half of 2010, the Detroit Three have introduced revamped heavy-duty pickups to feed a segment that, while shrinking, remains large and highly profitable. With that in mind, we saddled up to the Big Daddy of the F-Series range, the F-450, to see if the behemoth could play the dual roles of load-lugger and daily ride. Click through the jump to see how we fared.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat

Continue reading Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat

Review: 2011 Ford F-450 Lariat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2009 Ford Harley-Davidson F-450

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Ford

Ever since Ford and Harley-Davidson got together, the bar-and-shield logo has been affixed to the baddest possible version of the ever-popular F-Series pickup. By the looks of these spy shots, the next iteration of the Blue Oval's Harley-Davidson edition pickup will be the biggest yet. Based on the newest version of the venerable F-Series platform, the F-450, expect to see blue "tribal" flames adorning the slab-sided truck, just aft of the front wheels, to go along with the obligatory Harley-Davidson badges and lettering across the bed. As befits a Harley, there is plenty of shiny chrome to set off the mostly black paint. No powertrain changes are expected, which is fine, considering the fact that the 6.4-liter twin-turbo diesel engine already offers up plenty of stump-pulling torque. Owners will be further reminded that they sprung for the cycle-inspired model as they climb in the black leather seats, again emblazoned with the Harley-Davidson logo. Expect to pay upwards of sixty-grand for the privilege of parking one of these behemoth's in your driveway.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Spy Shots: 2009 Ford Harley-Davidson F-450 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 May 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Don't forget about Ford's Super Duty

Alex Nunez — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Tuners, Truck, Ford

Click image for a gallery of the SEMA Super Duty trucks

Ford's Super Duty trucks are some of the meanest-looking rides on offer from anyone. Big in power and stature, and dripping with machismo, it should come as no surprise that SEMA will showcase a trio of them built out to varying degrees of Truckzillaness. The Shaker 4x450 by X-Treme Toyz is lifted ten inches, accessible via a motorized step, deco'd with custom graphics, accessorized to the hilt and sports a modified 6.4L Powerstroke diesel. It rolls on 40" Toyos and frightens animals smaller than a polar bear. The Project "Power Storm" F-350 by Fabtech is also lifted 10 inches, rolls on 40-inch tires, and sports a laundry list of sccessories and custom elements of its own. Finally, DeBerti is bringing a low-riding F-450 (see above) optimized for motorcycle-hauling. A Dallas Smith Axleless Lo-Floor front-wheel-drive chassis conversion puts the bed floor close to the ground, making it a snap to roll your hog on and off with ease. Big, black, and low, the DeBerti looks like it's going to be one of our favorites already. For full vehicle descriptions, check out the attached photo gallery, where they accompany the pics.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: Ford Super Duty Trucks at 2007 SEMA Show

Continue reading SEMA Preview: Don't forget about Ford's Super Duty

SEMA Preview: Don't forget about Ford's Super Duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Super Duty seeing super sales

Erin Mays — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Ford

With gas prices at record highs, Ford's heaviest and biggest trucks, the F-350 models and F-450, are surpassing all sales expectations.

The decked out Lariat and King Ranch variations of the F-350, as well as the F-450, are going gangbusters, with the King Ranch up 53-percent over last year, while the Lariat is up 30-percent. Overall, both models are leading their segment. With options topping $17,000 and sticker prices exceeding $60,000, the truck's decent sales are likely a breath of fresh air to the incentive-prone automaker.

Ford has more to brag about in its lighter trucks -- the F-250 also continues to be the top seller in its segment, and the F-150 historically has been one of Ford's most important vehicles behind the Taurus, set to relaunch this fall.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Ford Super Duty seeing super sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Ford Super Duty: Big truck, mini-site

Alex Nunez — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 07:14:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Minisites, sitelets, microsites -- whatever you call them, they're now a part of just about every product launch, whether it's for potato chips or Porsches. True to form, with last week's reveal of the '08 Ford F-Series Super Duty, the Oval followed up with a dedicated minisite for the new ginormous trucks. Its primary navigation elements are a set of links across the top of the page, each of which correspond to a specific background environment that gets dropped behind the black Super Duty sitting front and center in your browser window.

Arrows to the left and right of the truck let you cycle through the environments, which are a highway construction site, a boat ramp, a port facility/shipping terminal, a farm, and a field. Those environments serve as portals into detail pages related to power, capability, innovation, exterior, interior, and configurations, respectively. The detail pages generally feature a primary photo with rollover tabs that open extended explanations of the truck's features. In some cases you get slightly different content, such as 360-degree spin-o-rama views.

Finally, an 'Extras' link lets you register for email updates and has a set of desktop wallpapers available for download. This, along with the rest of the site's content, will likely evolve over time to keep things fresh over the year leading up to the trucks' arrival in showrooms.

I have to say that I found myself spending a lot more time playing around on the site than I thought I would. I normally get fed up with Flash-heavy sites like this after a minute or two, but the Super Duty site is fast, visually interesting, flows well and draws you in once you start clicking around. That's the whole point with any site, so credit Ford's interactive agency with a job well done.

Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

2008 Ford Super Duty: Big truck, mini-site originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Oct 2006 07:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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