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.
