21,000 Ford Ranger, Everest Bi-Turbo autos recalled

Ford Australia has recalled 20,968 Ranger and Everest vehicles fitted with a 10-speed automatic transmission due to the potential failure of fluid pump gears that could leave them stranded.

Co-developed with GM, the 10-speed auto is standard in all Ford Ranger Bi-Turbo and Ford Everest Bi-Turbo models and paired with a twin-turbo diesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

The same transmission is found in the Ford Mustang (but not in a four-wheel drive application with two-speed transfer case), but the Mustang is not affected.

“A certain number of Ranger and Everest vehicles equipped with the 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine and 10-speed transmission may experience the failure of transmission fluid pump gears, which can cause the loss of hydraulic fluid pressure in the transmission and result in a transmission malfunction and a loss of drive,” says Ford.

“Should the vehicle lose transmission fluid pressure while driving, the power steering, power brakes, electrical systems and restraint systems will still operate normally.”

The recall affects 15,924 MY2017-2019 Ford Ranger vehicles built between December 19, 2017 and October 15, 2019 (check if your VIN is listed here) and 5044 MY2018-2019 Everest vehicles built between May 30, 2018 and October 16, 2019.

It’s understood that vehicles built since those dates have been rectified, which involves new engine and transmission software.

“We are immediately recalling all affected vehicles with customers to update the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software which will address the issue,” said a Ford spokesman.

“The service required should only take half a day, and customers will be offered courtesy vehicles as part of this recall.

“Among the customers who have reported this issue with vehicles in service, we are not aware of any related accidents or injuries.”