Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster computer at no cost as required by U.S. regulations.
Ford Motor is recalling 65,000 Fusion sedans in North America because ignition switches with a computer programing defect allow key removal even if the transmission is not in Park. This is just the latest example of how insufficiently tested software increasingly leads to safety recalls. This safety hazard is a clear violation of FMVSS 114, a regulation concerning theft protection and rollaway prevention.
Ford claimed it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related these ignition switches. Earlier this month, Ford announced five safety recalls in North America for fuel system leaks, engine stalling, a recall of a previous recall because of bad repairs on a loss of steering defect, bad brake lights and defective airbags. Hundreds of thousands of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles were affected.
Affected Ford vehicles with the latest ignition switch safety defect are 2014-2015 Fusion and Fusion Energi models built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, and 2014-2015 Fusion and 2015 Fusion Energi vehicles built at the Mexican Hermosillo Assembly Plant.
Ford said it is aware of 56,479 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 6,048 in Canada and 2,342 in Mexico with the ignition switch defect.
Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster at no cost to the customer – as is required by U.S. safety regulations.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, 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.
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 during a downshift 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.
