Ford is employing new artificial intelligence technology in its production facilities to minimize recalls and reduce expensive defects. Feeling the pressure from investors the Blue Oval is taking things seriously, and the new technology is already proving invaluable.
Take the round rubber seals used in the electric oil pump applied to hybrid vehicles such as the Escape Hybrid and Maverick. While it seems simple, many things can prevent these seals (called squish tubes) from sealing correctly. Before Ford implemented the AI technology, the Van Dyke facility was installing an average of 40 electric oil pumps with faulty rubber seals per month in 2023. In April 2024, not a single zero squish tube defect was reported, highlighting the usefulness of the AI system.
