Ford Issues Six Separate Recalls For 380K Vans, Trucks, SUVs And Cars
DEARBORN (WWJ) - If you find yourself behind the wheel of a Ford van, truck, SUV or car, listen up -- the automaker is recalling nearly 380,000 vehicles for six separate issues.
The multiple recalls were announced by Ford Wednesday morning. The company says a small number of accidents are contributed to the various problems, but no injuries have been reported.
1998-2003 Ford Windstar recalled for rear axle inspection
Approximately 340,000 1998-2003 Ford Windstar minivans are being recalled for a potential issue with a previous safety recall repair. There is a risk that the combined effects of corrosion and stress can lead to cracks in the axle that – if undetected – can grow and result in a complete fracture. The previous recall repair involved installing a rear axle reinforcement bracket to mitigate the safety risk in the event of an axle fracture. A bracket incorrectly installed could limit the effectiveness of that recall repair. A fractured rear axle could affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford is aware of a small number of accidents that might be connected to this issue, but no injuries.
Affected vehicles include certain 1998-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles that received rear axle reinforcement brackets during a previous safety recall repair and were built at Oakville Assembly Plant Sept. 2, 1997 through July 3, 2003.
Dealers will inspect these vehicles to determine if the brackets were correctly installed. Customers whose vehicles had the bracket installed incorrectly will have their rear axle replaced. If the bracket was correctly installed, customers will receive an incentive to replace their rear axle at a reduced cost. The offer is good for one year with unlimited mileage.
2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner recalled for transmission issue
Approximately 70 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles with a remanufactured transmission are being recalled due to a possible loose shift control lever bolt. In these vehicles, the shift control lever bolt might not have been tightened properly, which could cause the shift lever to disengage from the transmission without warning. This can result in the loss of transmission gear selection and the vehicle could roll away, increasing the risk of an injury or crash.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Affected vehicles include certain 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles with remanufactured transmissions that were built June 11, 2015 through July 5, 2015.
Dealers will check to ensure the shift control lever bolt is tightened properly at no cost to the customer.
2015 Ford F-150 recalled for adaptive cruise control issue
Approximately 37,000 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles are being recalled for a potential issue with adaptive cruise control. When passing a large, highly reflective truck, the adaptive cruise control radar in some of these vehicles could incorrectly identify the truck as being in the F-150 lane of travel when it is not. As a result, the vehicle might apply the brakes until the truck is no longer perceived to be in the lane of travel. The collision warning system red warning light might also flash and a tone might be heard at the same time. When this happens, the brake lights will illuminate. The potential duration of this unexpected adaptive cruise control braking could increase the risk of a crash involving a vehicle behind the F-150.
Ford received a report of one accident that could be related to this issue; no injuries were reported.
Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant, March 18, 2014 through Aug. 5, 2015, and at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Aug. 11, 2014 through Aug. 6, 2015.
Dealers will update the adaptive cruise control module software at no cost to the customer.
2015 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer recalled for fuel tank issue
Approximately 250 2015 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles, as well as 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles, are being recalled for a potential issue with the fuel tank attachment bolts that might not have been tightened properly. As a result, the fuel tank straps could fracture after an extended period of time, causing the fuel tank to separate from the vehicle, leading to a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire.
Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires associated with this issue.
Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles, and certain 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant on July 24, 2015.
Dealers will properly tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts at no cost to the customer.
2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 recalled for shift control bracket issue
Approximately 1,500 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles are being recalled for a potential issue with the shift control bracket. The shift control bracket might not have been manufactured properly, so the vehicle might be able to be shifted into reverse without applying the brakes. This could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of accident or injury.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 vehicles built at Detroit Chassis Plant, June 1, 2015 through Aug. 11, 2015.
Dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the shift cable at no cost to the customer.
2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ recalled for fuel tank issue
Approximately 700 2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles are being recalled for a potential compliance issue with the fuel tank. In these vehicles, the fuel tank might not have been manufactured properly and could crack in a crash, which is a compliance issue with FMVSS 301 regarding fuel system integrity. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a fire.
Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires associated with this issue.
Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Sept. 3, 2015 through Sept. 13, 2015, and certain 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Sept. 3, 2015 through Sept. 12, 2015.
Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to the customer.