Ford Motor Company announced this morning that it is conducting safety defect recalls on Fiesta, Focus, Edge, Escape, F-Series, and Lincoln MKZ, models with ~600,000 vehicles involved. Ford claimed it is aware of one accident, but no injuries or fires because of the latest quality lapses.
On 2015 Lincoln MKZ crossover SUVs in North America when the headlamps are on, the parking lights are brighter than U.S. safety regulations allow, and “may adversely affect the vision of oncoming drivers.” Dealers will update the body-control-module software that controls the intensity of the lamps.
On 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles in North America – Ford’s bestseller by far – underbody heat shields that may be “improperly installed or missing,” increasing the risk of fire. Dealers will inspect for missing underbody heat shields and fasteners and install missing components.
On 2014 Ford Focus, Edge, Escape and Transit Connect vehicles and 2014-15 Ford Fiesta vehicles in North America defective nickel-plating on the fuel pump can cause it to seize. If the fuel pump seizes, a vehicle may not start or worse may stall while driving. Ford said it is aware of one allegation of an accident that may be related to this safety defect.
On 2013-15 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles and 2015 Ford Edge in so-called corrosion states and provinces in North America the steering gear motor attachment bolts that may fracture due to “corrosion cracking.” If the steering gear motor bolts fracture, the steering system may default to manual steering mode, making the vehicle more difficult to steer, especially at lower speeds. This would not result in a loss of steering, but could result in an increased risk of a crash. Critics of such regional recalls allowed by NHTSA say, correctly, that regional recalls do not fix all of the potentially dangerous vehicles.
