NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE25007

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received five complaints alleging the detachment of the B-pillar trim piece in model year 2019 Ford Flex vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company.  The complaints allege that the trim piece can detach without warning while driving at highway speeds, resulting in a potential road hazard for other road users, increasing the risk of a crash. One complaint alleges that the trim piece detached from the vehicle and subsequently struck a trailingvehicle on the roadway. ODI is also aware of allegations of B-pillar trim piece detachments in model year 2016-2018 Ford Flex vehicles. This investigation is focused on the 2019 model year, as the rate of allegations is much higher for that model year. However, the 2016 – 2018 vehicles will be assessed as peer vehicles in this investigation to understand any similarities or differences that may account for the differences in rates. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.