Ford Recalls Transit, Focus Models in North America

Posted on 30 September 2016 by Ken Zino

AutoInformed.comFord recalls 2014 Transit Connect vehicles to reinstall badly glued panoramic roofs, and 2013-17 Focus hatchbacks to update interior latch release software. Only ~900 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles have a bad bond that may exist between the panoramic roof and the vehicle body, resulting in wind noise, water leaks and, in some cases, separation from the vehicle. If the entire panoramic roof separates from the vehicle while driving, it can increase the risk of crash or injury, of course. 

Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue. Affected vehicles include 2014 Transit Connect vehicles built at Valencia Assembly Plant between Oct. 4, 2013 and July 14, 2014. There are ~2,592 vehicles affected, including 887 in the United States and 28 in Canada. Dealers will remove, clean and re-glue the panoramic roof on affected vehicles at no cost to the customer as required by U.S. law on recalls.

On 2013-17 Focus hatchback and Focus RS models with manual transmissions, Ford recalls ~74,000 of the hatchbacks to update hatchback interior latch release software. In affected vehicles, the rear hatchback can be unlocked and unlatched with a single press of the interior latch release when the vehicle is traveling under than 7 kph (4 mph). The latch release button is located on the left side of the steering column. FMVSS 206 Section 4.3.2 requires two separate actions to unlock the door and operate the interior latch release control mechanism. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles with manual transmissions include 2013-17 Ford Focus vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant between Feb. 12, 2012 and Aug. 26, 2016; and 2016-17 Ford Focus RS vehicles built at Saarlouis Assembly Plant between Aug. 3, 2015 and Aug. 26, 2016. There are approximately 73,915 vehicles affected, including 64,038 in the United States and federalized territories and 9,877 in Canada. Dealers will reprogram the body control module with updated software at no cost to the customer as U.S. law stipulates.

 

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About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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