Ford Motor Company has three new safety recalls and two safety compliance recalls in North America for a variety electronic, mechanical and labeling issues on more than 285,000 vehicles. At least four accidents and one injury are known at this time.
Details are:
- 2011-2012 Ford F-150, and 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles in North America to update powertrain control module software and inspect for diagnostic trouble codes. There is a potential issue with the output speed sensor on the vehicle’s transmission. Under certain conditions, the transmission controls could force a temporary downshift into first gear. Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time of the downshift, the driver could experience an abrupt speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up. This condition could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford is aware of three reports of accidents and no injuries related to this safety defect.
- 2014-2015 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace rear suspension toe links. In some vehicles, it is possible that the left and right rear suspension toe links could fracture due to poor weld quality. This condition could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering or loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford is aware of one accident and one injury related to this safety defect.
- 2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles to inspect and replace tires. This safety recall covers 2,600 2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles. In some vehicles, tires could have been damaged from a conveyor during assembly. In some cases, the sidewall damage could cause a rupture during use, resulting in rapid air loss and increasing the risk of a crash. Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.
- 2007-2012 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable vehicles to replace driver airbag module. This safety compliance recall covers 200 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable models. In some vehicles, the chemical enhancer for the second-stage airbag deployment could be missing from the module, which may increase the risk of an injury in a crash that requires second-stage deployment. This safety defect does not affect primary-stage airbag deployment and is unrelated to the Takata airbag inflator safety recall, according to Ford. It is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.
- 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles to replace driver seat track assembly. In around 40 Fusion models, the seat mounting bracket attachment to the seat track rail may have been improperly welded, resulting in reduced seat track strength. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this manufacturing defect.
