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Ford Recall Information NEWS: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2013 Ford Explorer MARCH 2013 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford to recall Taurus, Exploer and Lincoln MKS to fix fuel tanks MARCH 2013 -- Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday that it will recall about 3,500 Taurus, Explorer and Lincoln MKS vehicles around the world to repair fuel tanks equipped with an improperly molded seam. The tanks with these seams may leak after a severe crash, Ford said. As of February 28, the second-largest U.S. automaker received six reports of tanks with a fuel odor or leak due to the defect. The action covers the 2012 Ford Taurus and the 2012 Lincoln MKS sedans as well as the 2013 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle. More than 3,000 of the recalled Ford models are in the United States, Ford spokeswoman said. The models were built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant. The Taurus and MKS models were built between July 2011 and January 2012, while the Explorer SUVs were made over a few days in March 2012, the company said. The automaker said it was not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with the issue MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles and 2013 Escape vehicles MARCH 2013 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Focus and C-Max vehicles built from November 16, 2012, through November 21, 2012; and model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from November 14, 2012, through November 21, 2012. The left rear door child lock was built incorrectly. As a result, the child lock may not engage when the operator uses normal force to activate the child lock. The operator may incorrectly believe the child lock is engaged. However, the door may be opened from the inside, increasing the risk of injury to an unrestrained child. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected rear door latches, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 25, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S02. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. 13V085000 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles MARCH 2013 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position. In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on March 27, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S01. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. 13V081000 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Feds probe 724K Ford models over power loss FEBRUARY 2013 -- Federal safety regulators have opened a new safety investigation into 724,000 Ford Escape, Fusion and Mercury models over hundreds of reports of sudden loss of engine power. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday it has opened a preliminary investigation into the 2009-11 Ford Escape and Fusion, and Mercury Mariner and Milan. NHTSA said it has 123 reports indicating allegations of reduced power or vehicle stall in Escape vehicles under investigation. Ford made a design change in 2009 to address complaints but did not recall the vehicles. NHTSA said there have been 27,500 warranty claims for the issue, along with reports of three crashes and one injury. Ford has received more than 1,400 complaints about the issue. "We are cooperating fully with NHTSA on this investigation, as we do on all investigations," said Ford spokeswomanr. Vehicles manufactured between June 2009 and October 2009 may contain contaminated circuit boards with plating variations, NHTSA said. Plating variations could lead to a failure. Ford and its supplier, Delphi Corp., modified the manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin in October 2010, NHTSA said. Vehicles produced after Oct. 15, 2009 have electronic throttle bodies manufactured with a new process that resolved this condition, the government said. The bulletin instructed dealers to replace the throttle body on a number of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result, but drivers may describe it as a stall even though the engine is still running, NHTSA said. Separately, NHTSA said it received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stalling while driving in model year 2010-11 Ford Fusions. About 60 percent of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2013 Fusion vehicles DECEMBER 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles, manufactured from February 3, 2012, through October 20, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles may not have had the low beam headlamp projector coating properly cured during its manufacturing process. An improperly cured projector coating will become hazy through operation, over time, reducing the brightness of the low-beam lamp. This may decrease driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp assembly. The recall is expected to begin during December 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12C27. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. 12V-553 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2013 Escape and Fusion vehicles DECEMBER 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012 equipped with 1.6L engines; and 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012 equipped with 1.6L engines. The engines may overheat leading to fluid leaks that may come in contact with the hot exhaust system. Fluid leaks in the presence of an ignition source such as a hot exhaust system may result in a fire. The remedy for this recall campaign is still under development. Until the recall remedy has been performed, Ford is advising owners to contact their dealer or call the Ford telephone hotline to arrange alternate transportation. The safety recall began on December 7, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12S41. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. 12V-551 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls Fusion for second time in two weeks DECEMBER 2012 -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling 19,106 2013 Fusion sedans in the US to replace faulty headlamps, The Chicago Tribune quoted federal safety officials as saying. Ford said in documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the headlamps on the 2013 model to be recalled could become hazy and dimmer over time, which could increase the risk of a crash, reported Xinhua. The US automaker also said that there are no known reports of accidents or injuries because of the problem as of Nov 9. This is the second time in just two weeks for Ford to recall the redesigned 2013 Fusion, which went on sale in the US market in late September. Last week, the 2013 model was recalled to correct a potential defect that could cause engine fire MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls 89K Escapes, Fusions over engine fires NOVEMBER 2012 -- Ford Motor Co. issued its fourth recall Friday for its 2013 Ford Escape SUV, citing a fire risk. The recall affects 73,320 Escapes, as well as 15,833 midsized 2013 Ford Fusions. Some 80,000 of the recalled vehicles were in the U.S. It's the latest setback for the Escape, introduced in June and a key vehicle in Ford's lineup. The Dearborn automaker urged owners of the vehicles with 1.6-liter engines to contact dealers immediately, to arrange loaners. But unlike an earlier Escape recall, this one didn't caution drivers to stop driving them. "We have identified an issue and are taking actions in the best interest of our customers," .. director of Ford's automotive safety office, said in a statement. "It is important that affected customers not ignore this recall and contact their dealer as soon as possible. While we recognize the inconvenience recalls cause our customers, we are taking these actions on their behalf to help ensure their safety." The recall is for Escape and Fusion SE and SEL models with a 1.6-liter engine. The company said it has not yet established repair procedures, and can't say when owners will be able to get their cars fixed. Ford spokesman .. said engine overheating can lead to fluid leaks, which may come in contact with a hot exhaust system and trigger a fire. "We're developing a fix which is designed to keep the fluids from reaching the hot exhaust components," he said. "We'll update our customers as soon as we can." Ford said it received 13 reports of engine fires that followed overheating. No injuries have been reported. Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration late Friday that the first report of an Escape fire was Sept. 7 in Florida from a vehicle that didn't have an engine dipstick, which allowed oil to be expelled. A second fire was reported Sept. 24 in Virginia and a third fire Oct. 22 in Arizona. Since Nov. 8, Ford has become aware of five more fires. Ford formed a task force Nov. 12 to investigate the fires, finding a pattern. The fire issue may stick in some people's minds but with so much recall news today, consumers are likely to remember less about it over time, said Jessica Caldwell, senior analyst for automotive research site Edmunds.com. "Over the long term, it's not going to do a lot of damage" to sales, Caldwell said. Manager of product analysis for AutoPacific Inc., said a recall involving the high-volume 1.6-liter engine means anything that goes wrong with it will affect a lot of customers, Ford issued its first 2013 Escape recall in July, saying incorrectly positioned carpet padding may lead to interference with braking in more than 10,000 vehicles. Also that month, Ford recalled 11,500 2013 Escape SUVs with 1.6-liter engines and urged owners to stop driving them immediately because of fire dangers. Ford says more than 90 percent of those have been fixed — and the number may be higher because dealers have 30 days to submit reimbursement claims. The third recall, on 7,600 1.6-liter Escapes, came in September; Ford said an improperly installed part could lead to a fire risk. Customers should contact their dealer for free alternative transportation. U.S. owners can call 866-436-7332 and Canadian customers can call 888-222-7814 for details on securing transportation. Ford says customers can find out if their vehicle is part of the recall by checking their VIN number on Ford.com under the Support tab and View Notices and Recalls, or by contacting their dealer. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles OCTOBER 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection." The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner's guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No.208. An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant. Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner's guide. The safety recall is expected to begin shortly. Ford's recall campaign number is 12C26. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov . MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls some 2012 Ford Edge SUVs SEPTEMBER 2012 -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling some of its 2012 Edge vehicles because of concerns that the fuel line could leak and potentially cause a fire. The recall affects about 5,500 vehicles made between Sept. 2, 2010, and Oct. 31, 2011.The Edge is a midsized SUV, and the affected vehicles have 2-liter engines. The problem is caused by a part in the fuel line that could crack. If it did, the smell of gas would probably be noticeable, and fuel leaks might also appear. Those conditions could cause a fire under the hood. Ford blamed faulty manufacturing by a parts supplier. Ford will notify owners by mail with instructions to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer. If the vehicle needs to be fixed, the dealer will do the repair for free. The recall is expected to begin on, or about, Sept. 24. Ford, based in Dearborn, Mich., said it is aware of 12 cases of fuel leaks after examining warranty claims. No accidents, injuries or fires have been reported. Owners can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 or www.safecar.gov. MORE RECALL INFO: SEPTEMBER 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain 2012 Edge vehicles manufactured from September 2, 2010, through October 31, 2011, equipped with 2.0L engines. The fuel line pulse damper metal housing may crack as a result of an improper manufacturing process. A cracked fuel line pulse damper housing may result in a combination of fuel odor, weepage, or a continuous leak while the fuel system is pressurized. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about September 24, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12S40. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov 12V-438 NEWS: Ford recalling 2013 Escape for fire risks SEPTEMBER 2012 -- Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it is issuing a third recall for its redesigned 2013 Ford Escape SUV that went on sale in June, saying an improperly installed part could lead to a risk of fire. The new recall covers 7,600 2013 Escape SUVs built with 1.6-liter engines, including 6,150 in the United States and 1,300 in Canada. This is the second recall for fire risks issued since July. The recalled vehicles were built between Oct. 5, 2011, and Aug. 31. Ford says the recall is to prevent a dislodged cup plug in the engine cylinder head. A dislodged plug could result in an immediate discharge of engine coolant. Rapid loss of coolant could result in a combustible glycol concentration near hot engine components and create a risk of fire. The recall covers only manually installed cup plugs; Ford expects just 0.4 percent of vehicles recalled will have faulty parts.. Ford said it has no reports of fires from customers, but one fire in an Escape SUV on a dealer lot was reported in Tennessee. The fire took place during a pre-delivery drive. Ford said a dealer employee was taking the vehicle on a test drive before it was to be delivered to a customer and noticed steam. He quickly returned to the dealership, and that's when the vehicle caught fire. The fire was quickly extinguished at the dealership and no one was injured. Ford learned of the fire on Aug. 8 and decided to recall the vehicles after a 19-day investigation. Dealers will install an additional plug sealant, and a secondary cap will be installed over the original plug. The repair will take 31/2 hours and parts are in stock. READ MORE.... MORE RECALL INFO: SEPTEMBER 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through August 31, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. The cylinder head cup plug (freeze plug) may become dislodged resulting in significant loss of engine coolant. As leaking engine coolant evaporates on the hot engine, the glycol may ignite causing an engine compartment fire. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will seal the existing plug and add a secondary plug cover, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or about, September 10, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12S39. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. 12V-431 NEWS: Ford recalls 16,000 Transit Connect vans AUGUST 2012 -- Ford Motor Co. said Friday it is recalling 16,330 Transit Connect vans because wiper arms may not be adequately riveted, resulting in incomplete or inconsistent clearing of the windshield and possible detachment of the wiper arm. The recall covers vehicles built in the 2011-12 model years. The Dearborn automaker said it is not aware of any crashes or injuries as a result of the issue. Ford said if the wiper arm detaches, the windshield wiper will fail and the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. Some owners have complained of poor wiper performance and noisy wipers. Ford dealers will replace both the passenger and driver windshield wipers and blade assemblies. The vehicles were built at Ford's Kocaeli plant in Turkey. Ford began investigating the issue in February after seeing a high number of warranty claims. The automaker will begin notifying owners next week MORE RECALL INFO: AUGUST 2012 -- Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Transit Connect vehicles. The wiper arms may not be adequately riveted resulting in incomplete or inconsistent clearing of the windshield and possible detachment of the wiper arm. If the wiper arm detaches, the windshield wiper will fail and the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side wiper arm and blade assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, August 13, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12S36. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. 12V-374 NEWS: Ford recalls 2001-2004 Escape SUVs for Unintended Acceleration JULY 2012 -- In the face of a new government investigation, Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it is recalling nearly 485,000 Escapes and other SUVs to repair sticky gas pedals that can lead to unintended acceleration incidents. It comes less than two weeks after a safety advocacy group wrote Ford president.. urging him to recall the vehicles. The recall covers 423,000 2001-2004 Escape SUVs with 3-liter V-6 engines with cruise control and 60,000 outside the U.S. Ford said because of a lack of clearance between the cruise control cable, when a driver has the cruise control engaged, they may not be able to disengage the throttle...The NHTSA has 99 reports alleging incidents of stuck throttles in 2001-2004 Ford Escapes and Mazda Tributes with V6 engines. Of the total, 68 reports are from Escape owners; 31 are from owners of model year 2001 through 2004 Tributes. Thirteen crashes and 9 injuries were reported. In December 2004, Ford recalled 470,000 2002-2004 Escapes, describing an accelerator cable assembly defect that could cause the throttle to stick. That same month, Mazda, which sold a nearly identical vehicle, recalled 121,000 2002-2004 Tribute SUVs. Ford sent dealers an updated repair procedure in October 2005, with updated illustrations and a warning to help prevent damage to the speed control cable while replacing the accelerator cable. Mazda did not issue a similar notice. But by that time, nearly 320,000 Escapes from the 2002-2004 model years already were fixed, and their owners never were informed of the updated procedure. The 2002 Ford Escape that crashed Arizona., .was fixed in January 2005, before the repair update. Ford said it only learned of the death from NHTSA and inspected the vehicle on June 20. That review prompted Ford to begin a review of the data and the company's field review committee decided to recall the vehicles on Monday. NHTSA has been investigating the crash since early this year. It obtained the police report and has sought additional information from the teen's family. "The defective accelerator cable caused high idles, but the damaged cruise control cable caused far worse open-throttle accelerations by breaking the cruise cable protective guide which allowed the connector end of the cable to jam against the engine cover," Clarence Ditlow, executive of the Center for Automotive Safety, said in a July 10 letter to Ford CEO. Ditlow urged a new recall for what he called a "lethal cruise control cable defect." "We ask that you exercise that moral leadership by recalling all Ford Escapes with the defective cruise control cable in the 2002-04 model years to avoid more deaths and injuries which would otherwise occur if Ford waits" for NHTSA to investigate, Ditlow wrote. This is the third recall in two weeks for the Escape. Last week, Ford recalled 11,500 new 2013 models with 1.6-liter engines because the fuel lines could leak. The company also recalled 10,000 2013 Escapes to fix carpet padding that could interfere with brakes. READ MORE.... MORE RECALL INFO: JULY 2012 -- Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used. A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, August 6, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Ford's recall campaign number is 12S37. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov 12V-353 NEWS: Government investigates Ford Escapes, Mazda Tribute JULY 2012 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation Tuesday into 730,000 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute SUVs that may have been improperly repaired after a 2004 recall and could have resulted in unintended acceleration. The announcement comes after the fatal crash of a 2002 Ford Escape in January in Arizona that killed a 17-year-old driver that had been repaired before Ford updated its dealers on how to make the repairs. Ford recalled 2002-2004 470,000 Escapes in December 2004, describing an accelerator cable assembly defect that could present a stuck throttle risk. Mazda — which sold a nearly identical vehicle — also recalled 121,000 2002-2004 Tribute SUVs in December 2004. In October 2005, Ford sent dealers an updated repair procedure with updated illustrations and a warning to help prevent damage to the speed control cable while performing the accelerator cable replacement procedure. Mazda never updated its procedures. But Ford never disclosed the updated procedure to the owners of more than 300,000 2002-2004 Escape owners that received repairs. "The defective accelerator cable caused high idles, but the damaged cruise control cable caused far worse open-throttle accelerations by breaking the cruise cable protective guide which allowed the connector end of the cable to jam against the engine cover," said Center for Automotive Safety executive director ..in a July 10 letter to Ford CEO ..that urged a new recall. Ford didn't immediately comment on the investigation. NHTSA doesn't comment on pending investigations. NHTSA has identified 99 reports alleging incidents of stuck 2001-2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute sport utility vehicles built with V6 engines. Of the total, 68 reports are from owners of Ford Escapes; 31 are from owners of model year 2001 through 2004 Mazda Tributes. Some of the complaints say the failure was caused by interference between the speed control cable and the appearance cover at the throttle body cam. Many say the failures may have been related to repairs performed as part of safety recalls initiated in 2004. The investigation follows a petition filed this month by the Center for Auto Safety questioning whether thousands of 2002-2004 Escape vehicles may been damaged during a recall fix. When Ford sent its dealers the update in October 2005, Ford had already repaired 319,506 vehicles. The Center for Auto Safety said a January 2012 crash in Payson, Ariz., that killed 17-year-old Saige Bloom when her 2002 Ford Escape was the result of sudden unintended acceleration linked to a faulty repair. It had been repaired in January 2005, before the update. NHTSA has been investigating the crash since early this year. It obtained the police report and has sought additional information from the deceased driver's family. The agency rejected a call from the safety advocacy group to hold a formal hearing and said its decision to open a formal investigation was independent of the group's request. Sudden unintended acceleration drew nationwide headlines in 2009 and 2010 when Toyota Motor Corp. recalled more than 10 million vehicles worldwide for sticking accelerator pedals and pedals trapped in floor mats. Toyota paid nearly $50 million in fines for failing to recall vehicles in a timely fashion. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls 2013 Escapes over fire risks, urges owners to stop driving SUVs JULY 2012 -- Ford Motor Co. recalled 11,500 2013 Escape SUVs on Thursday over fire risks, and urged owners to immediately stop driving the vehicles. It's the latest setback for the redesigned vehicle that launched last month. The recall covers Escapes with the 1.6-liter engine, which were built through July 11. Escapes equipped with the 2.0-liter and the 2.5-liter engines are unaffected. Ford says it will replace an engine compartment fuel line, which could split and leak fuel, and could lead to an underhood fire. The Dearborn automaker said three fires have been reported since June 9, including two being driven by employees at its Louisville Assembly plant and one by an owner in Canada. No injuries have been reported. After the third fire on July 11 at the plant, Ford halted shipments of Escapes with the 1.6-liter engine until it discovered the cause. Ford is advising affected owners not to drive their vehicles and to contact their dealers immediately for the needed repair. Dealers will deliver a loaner vehicle to customers and will then transport their 2013 Escape to the dealership until the repair has been completed. It is extremely rare for an automaker to urge owners to stop driving a vehicle. "I think it's a lesson from Toyota, because (Toyota) didn't originally do that," said Edmunds.com senior analyst.., speaking of the Japanese automaker's struggles to properly recall vehicles with potential unintended acceleration issues in 2009 and 2010. Ford spokeswoman ..said the automaker notified dealers on Wednesday, but didn't notify owners until Thursday because dealers had to be prepared to handle customer needs. Because the fires were reported when the vehicles were running, Ford doesn't believe owners are at risk if vehicles are stored in garages. A vehicle being prepared for shipping on July 5 at the Lousiville Assembly plant had a fuel leak linked to the same fuel line problem. The recall covers 9,300 vehicles in the United States and 2,200 in Canada. Of the vehicles being recalled, 4,800 have been purchased. READ MORE.... MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalling certain 2013 Ford Escape SUVs for braking issue JULY 2012 -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 10,000 redesigned 2013 Escape SUVs because mispositioned carpet padding may lead to interference with braking. The recall covers 8,266 Escapes in the U.S. and 2,193 in Canada. The Escapes being recalled were built at the Louisville Assembly Plant from March 8 through June 7. The redesigned Escape went on sale in June and is a key vehicle for the Dearborn automaker. Ford plans to add a third shift in Kentucky by September to meet additional demand for the vehicle. Ford said in early June, an employee noted the space between the brake pedal and the center console left-side trim panel "which may result in the driver contacting the edge of the brake pedeal while transferring the foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal. Ford said the issue could increase braking distance but says it has no reports of the problem happening with customers. Owners will be notified starting July 23. Ford dealers will remove the carpet padding and replace the left-side console trim panel with a new panel that has a new surface contour. Ford spokeswoman ..said Saturday the recall also covers "a few hundred" Escape vehicles in Mexico. No vehicles outside North America are affected. She said no reports or complaints from customers have been received.....Ford sent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice on July 2 in a letter that it was recalling the vehicles. But the notice didn't show up on a government website for more than 10 days. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles JULY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 escape vehicles manufactured from march 8, 2012 through june 7, 2012. Due to mis-positioned carpet padding the center console trim panel may be pushed outboard of the intended position, reducing clearance relative to the pedal package. The reduced clearance may result in the driver’s foot contacting the side of the brake pedal while transferring the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal, increasing stopping distances and the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the carpet padding and left-side console trim panel replaced with a new panel, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on july 23, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12s34. Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov 12V-319 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: NHTSA opens probe of 2011 Ford Explorer: Steering Loss JUNE 2012 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday it is opening investigations into 83,000 2011 Ford Explorer SUVs.over complaints of steering problems. NHTSA said it was opening a preliminary investigations. NHTSA said it has received 15 complaints alleging loss of power steering assist and increased steering effort in model year 2011 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with Electric Power Assisted Steering. NHTSA said it has also identified field reports provided in Ford's Early Warning Reporting data submissions that relate to the alleged defect. Some of the complaints indicated observing a power steering warning message when the failure occurred. In some cases, the condition was corrected by turning the vehicle off and restarting. However, some reports indicate the condition returned after restarting the vehicle. NHTSA has no reports of crashes or injuries. READ MORE.... MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford Gets Dinged Again in J.D. Power's Quality Study JUNE 19, 2012 -- Edmunds, InsideLine.com -- Ford executives said Tuesday they expect the automaker will be hurt again for issues with its MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch electronic systems in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), when 2012 results are released Wednesday. "We expect to do about the same or a little better than last year," said.. Ford vice president of global quality, at a media briefing Tuesday clearly intended to prepare reports for the study's results and allow Ford to provide its own spin on the results. After steady improvement in quality for a decade, Ford fell precipitously in J.D. Power's 2011 IQS results from 5th place to 23rd among nameplates. That put Ford below the industry average for the first time since 2006. Ford owners complained in the survey mostly about problems with Ford's electronic systems — Sync, MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch. They also pointed out certain powertrain issues, specifically with Ford's Power Shift automatic transmission in the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, which were addressed with a software change. READ MORE. MORE RECALL NEWS: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2013 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a Town Car package JUNE 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKT vehicles with a town car package manufactured from March 6, 2012, through April 3, 2012, which are available only to body builders for upfitting as hearse or livery/limousine vehicles. These vehicles may have been transported with rear brake rotor bolts that are not fully seated allowing the head to protrude above the wheel mounting surface. The raised bolt head could lead to torque loss in the wheel joint, potentially leading to wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash. All the affected vehicles have been quarantined at the coach builder’s facilities and will be repaired before delivery to owners. Notices were mailed to the coach builders on may 24, 2012. Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov . 12V-243 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 F-150 vehicles MAY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 F-150 vehicles manufactured from November 6, 2011, through November 15, 2011. Incorrect software for the occupant classification system module (ocsm) was installed on the vehicles either at the time of manufacturing or during the course of replacement of the module as part of a service repair. Under certain driving conditions, the ocsm may misclassify the passenger seat’s occupant such that the passenger side airbag does not deploy when it should, does not deploy as intended, or deploys when it should not. A failure to deploy, failure to deploy as intended, or a deployment when not intended, increases the risk of injury to the passenger side seat occupant. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocsm free of charge. Ford expects to begin on or about may 21, 2012. Ford's safety recall campaign number is 12s31. Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov. 12V-198 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, and 2012-2013 Mustang vehicles MAY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, and 2012-2013 Mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 “lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.” these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear. If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse “r” position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “r” may not illuminate on the dashboard of the F-150, Expedition, or Navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the F-150, Expedition, Navigator, or Mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicle’s not signaling it is in reverse. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about June 25, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12c23. Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov. 12V-190 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: NHTSA upgrades investigation into Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey APRIL 2012 - Federal safety investigators said Friday they upgraded an investigation into more than 82,000 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans over complaints that the third-row seat can experience severe rust. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has reviewed 22 complaints from salt belt states, alleging severe corrosion at the rear wheel wells. It is upping its probe from an "investigation" to an "engineering analysis." NHTSA said the complaints show a difficulty or inability to latch the rear seat. Some of the reports claim the anchor plate detached from the vehicle rear wheel. The government agency is comparing the 2004 vehicles with the 2005-2007 Freestar/Monterey minivans that appear to have a seat design identical to the vehicles now under scrutiny. NHTSA is unaware of similar complaints on the 2005-2007 vehicles. Ford has said it is cooperating with the investigation. NHTSA opened its preliminary investigation in December. It said it did not know of any crashes or injuries resulting from the issue. It asked Nissan Motor Co. to disclose any similar incidents with its 2003-2004 minivans to compare the rate of failure in Ford's minivans. In August, NHTSA said it was closing its investigation into 2004-07 280,000 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans over engine stalls and other problems connected to water leaking onto a module. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Focus vehicles APRIL 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Focus vehicles manufactured from August 1, 2010, through October 18, 2011. A seal in the wiring harness connector to the passenger side wiper motor may be missing. Water or other contaminants may accumulate in the connector, resulting in an intermittent or inoperative passenger side wiper motor, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and as necessary, clean and properly seal the passenger side wiper motor connector. Any inoperative wiper motors will be replaced. This service will be provided free of charge. Ford expects to begin on or about may 21, 2012. Ford's safety recall campaign number is 12s29. Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov . 12V-149 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles MAY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, and currently registered or originally sold in Virginia. Over time, corrosion can weaken the rear axle making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can increase and result in a complete fracture of the axle. A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install rear axle reinforcement brackets, or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about June 18, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 10s13. Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov. 12V-193 MAY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of Virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on june 18, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s16. Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov. 12V-194 MAY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997, through July 3, 2003, registered in Puerto Rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack. A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or about may 21, 2012. Ford's safety recall campaign number is 12s30. Customers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov. 12V-195 NEWS: NHTSA opening investigation into 360,000 Ford Taurus sedans; 2005-2006 MARCH 2012 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Sunday said it opening a preliminary investigation into 360,000 2005-2006 Ford Taurus sedans over complaints of stuck throttles because of cruise control cable detachment. NHTSA said it is has received 14 complaints from Taurus owners that say the engine revved as high as 4,000 RPMs after shifting into park or neutral. Some complaints say owners had trouble stopping the vehicles - and one owner said the vehicle had traveled partially through a red light before it stopped. Some drivers had to shift into neutral or shut off the car to stop the vehicle. Ford didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment. NHTSA didn't identify any crashes or injuries related to the issue in its statement. In a complaint filed Feb. 15, an owner from Hickory, N.C., said "while coasting uphill and approaching my left turn the (2006 Taurus) began to accelerate. I made the left turn while applying a good amount of force to the brake pedal for fear that I would hit mail boxes and homes." The owner of a 2005 Taurus told NHTSA in November that when stopped at a light the car started to rev "and could not hold on brakes enough to stop moving. Went through red light , around two cars as speed reached about 70 miles per hour. Both feet on brakes. Could smell them burning," the owner wrote. "Please someone make Ford wake up about this problem before someone is killed. I wouldn't feel right trading it in, for fear of someone else getting killed." In both complaints, the owners said the problem was a disconnected cruise control cable. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2012 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles FEBRUARY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles, manufactured from November 19, 2011, through December 2, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 202, "head restraints." these vehicles may have inadequate welds on the head restraint support brackets for the second row, right-hand seat. In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head restraints as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about February 20, 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 12c22. Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov. 12V-034 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls F-650 trucks; Power Train/Axle Assembly JANUARY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 F-650 trucks, manufactured from February 2, 2011, through February 17, 2011, and equipped with a meritor mfs08 front steer axle. The bolts attaching the steering arm to the steering knuckle were not properly tightened. This condition can result in the steering arm loosening or separating. Loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering arm and steering knuckle, and repair the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin n or before January 18, 2012. Ford safety recall number is 11s26. Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov . 12V-009 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls 525,000 vehicles for fire, power loss problems JANUARY 2012 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2004 and 2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles. The torque converter output shaft may fail. This condition results in a sudden loss of motive power with no warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converter free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in the second calendar quarter of 2012. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s25. Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov . 12V-006 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford is recalling certain 2011 F-150 and 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks; Transmission DECEMBER 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 F-150 vehicles manufactured from September 9, 2011, through September 22, 2011, and model year 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 heavy duty vehicles manufactured from September 12, 2011, through September 22, 2011. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 114, theft protection.� the transmission can be shifted out of the park position without pressing the brake pedal due to brake shift interlock switch problem. This will allow the operator to inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without the brake pedal being depressed, increasing the risk of a crash or injury to a nearby pedestrian. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake shift interlock switch function and replace the switch if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about December 19, 2011. Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov . 11V-582 MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford to recall Fusion, Milan sedans to fix wheels YAHOO NEWS -- December 10, 2011 – Ford is recalling more than 128,000 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans from the 2010 and 2011 model years because the wheels can fall off the cars. The recall affects only cars with 17-inch steel wheels built from April 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009, and from Dec. 1, 2009 through Nov. 13, 2010. Federal regulators say that bolts holding the wheels on can fracture, causing a vibration. If the vibration is ignored, the wheels can separate from the car. Ford says it's not aware of any crashes or injuries caused by the problem. Dealers will replace the lug nuts on all four wheels and check the rear disc brake surface. The recall is expected to begin around Jan. 24. MORE RECALL INFO: DECEMBER 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles equipped with 17 inch steel wheels and built from April 1, 2009, through April 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through November 13, 2010. The wheel studs may fracture, potentially causing a wheel to separate. While driving, multiple stud fractures could occur at the wheel location, and the operator may experience vehicle vibration and/or wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake disc surface for flatness and replace the discs as necessary. Additionally, the wheel lug nuts will be replaced on all four wheels. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about January 24, 2012. 11V-574 JULY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year Ford F-150, 2004 model year Ford F-150 Heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year F-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and 2002 and 2003 Lincoln Blackwood vehicles manufactured from June 20, 1995, through August 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle. As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak and present a fire hazard. Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about September 12, 2011. Ford's recall campaign number is 11S21. 11V-385 JULY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2007 Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles manufactured from September 5, 2006, through September 11, 2006. The fuel tanks may not have consistent welds between the fuel tank and fuel filler neck spud which can affect the strength of the joint. Some fuel tank spud welds may not provide the expected strength in the event of a severe rear impact to the vehicle. An improper weld can result in a crack in the joint which could illuminate the emissions malfunction indicator light, cause a fuel odor, or allow fuel to leak out. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about August 15, 2011. 11V-355 JULY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 Ranger trucks built from January 25, 2011, through April 25, 2011, at the Twin Cities assembly plant, and service parts distributed to dealers for certain 2004 through 2011 model year Ranger trucks; 2002 through 2005 model year Excursion vehicles; and 2002 through 2007 model year F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate. Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about August 15, 2011. 11V-352 NEWS: Ford to recall 1.1M pickup for gas tank problem YAHOO NEWS -- August 1, 2011 – Ford is recalling more than a million pickup trucks because their gas tanks can fall off and cause fires. The recall, announced Monday, covers 1.1 million F-150, F-250 and Lincoln Blackwood pickups. The models involved were sold in cold-weather states where road salt can cause straps metal straps holding up the tanks to rust. If the straps break, the tanks can hit the ground, rupture and catch fire. Regulators began investigating the problem back in September. The defect has been blamed for eight fires, three of which spread to the rest of the truck. One person was injured, suffering first- and second-degree burns, Ford Motor Co. spokesman Wes Sherwood said. The recall adds to the list of problems with the F-Series pickup, traditionally America's best-selling vehicle. The pickups have been involved in three recalls going back to 2008, involving millions of vehicles. Regulators have become more aggressive since being criticized last year for a slow response to Toyota's sudden acceleration problems. The latest Ford pickup recall involves certain 1997 through 2004 Ford F-150 models, as well as some 1997 through 1999 model year F-250 pickups. Also affected are Lincoln Blackwood pickups from the 2002 and 2003 model years. Ford sold more than 264,000 of the F-Series trucks during the first six months of this year. The company would not say how much money the recall would cost. The nation's largest single recall involved 7.9 million Ford vehicles in 1996 to replace an ignition switch. Earlier in the year, F-Series pickups were the subject of sniping between the government and Ford because of air bags that could deploy at the wrong time. Ford announced in February that it would fix 150,000 F-150s for that problem, but under pressure from regulators, the company expanded the recall to 1.2 million trucks in April. In that case, there were 98 reported injuries because of the problem. Other recent F-Series recalls include: — December 2010: About 15,000 of the trucks and some Ford crossover vehicles were recalled for problems with electrical systems that could short and cause fires. — May 2008: More than 655,000 F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks were recalled to fix a defective hose that could affect the vehicles' braking power. Ford also recalled more than 10.4 million vehicles in several increments from 1999 to 2007 because a faulty cruise-control switch could cause fires. The recalls covered more than a dozen vehicles built from 1992 to 2004, including some F-Series models. To fix the latest problem, Ford will notify owners in September to bring their trucks to dealers. Mechanics will replace the straps with new ones coated to resist corrosion. Ford said that parts to fix the problem won't be widely available until then. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford to recall more than 20,000 trucks and SUVs YAHOO NEWS -- July 20, 2011 – Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 20,000 pickup trucks and SUVs because a defective switch can cause the turn signal, tail lights and brake lights to fail. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday on its website that the recall affects certain 2004 through 2011 Ranger pickups, 2002 through 2005 Excursion SUVs, and 2002 through 2007 F-250, 350, 450 and 550 trucks. About 20,450 trucks in the U.S. are affected, plus Ford is recalling more than 6,000 of the switches that were sent to dealers as replacement parts. Ford says it knows of no accidents or injuries caused by the problem. The company will notify owners and dealers will replace the switches free of charge. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Automaker recalls 103,000 Mazda3 for windshield wiper problem DETROIT NEWS -- June 19, 2011 – Mazda Motor Corp. is recalling 103,000 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles over potentially faulty windshield wiper motors. The Japanese automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it is recalling its 2008-2009 Mazda3 built between January and November 2008. In total, Mazda is recalling 408,782 Mazda3 vehicles sold worldwide to address the issue. Some of the vehicles are sold as the Mazda Axela. Mazda in a notice posted on NHTSA's website today said the ground terminal of the windshield wiper motors may have been accidentally bent during assembly, which could cause the wipers to fail. In bad weather, the lack of functioning wipers could raise the risk of a crash. Mazda said it first received reports of the problem in September and December 2009. In March 2010, because of an "increasing trend of concern," the automaker reopened its investigation, but opted not to mount a recall because the number of incidents was low. This month, after more incidents were reported, Mazda opted to conduct a recall. Mazda spokeswoman ...said today that there have been no crashes reported related to the issue. In total, the company has received 132 reports of the problem worldwide through May 30, including 30 in China, 29 in Japan and 20 in North America, Mazda spokeswoman said. Mazda dealers will install an additional harness on the wiper motor. Mazda plans to begin notifying owners on July 15. The company will reimburse owners who had previously fixed the windshield wiper motor for the problem. MORE RECALL INFO: MAY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 F-650 and F-750 trucks, equipped with air brakes and a trailerpackage or tractor package, for an incorrectly programmed ABS module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121, "Air Brake Systems (ABS)." An affected vehicle may not display a trailer ABS fault in the cab of the truck warning thedriver of an existing trailer ABS failure. Such an ABS failure may result in trailer brake lock-up, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will notify owners and replace the ABS module free of charge. The safety recall began on May 18, 2011. 11V-264 APRIL 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 E-150, E-250, E-350 and E-450 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, "Seating Systems." It may bepossible that under unusually high loads, such as during a crash, the driver power seat track worm gear may fracture. In the event of a crash or other circumstances of severe loading, the worm gear could fracture and allow the seat to shift unrestrained forward or backward increasing the risk and/or severity of injuries to the driver. Dealers will inspect the driver's seat track assembly, and if necessary, replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on May 2, 2011. . Ford's recall campaign number is 11C16. 11V-246 NEWS: Ford F-150 recall greatly expanded: safety regulators YAHOO NEWS -- April 14, 2011 – Ford Motor Co and U.S. safety regulators have agreed to a greatly expanded recall of the best-selling vehicle in North America, the Ford F-150 pickup truck, the regulators said on Thursday. The expanded recall is for a possible short-circuit that could cause airbags to deploy unexpectedly, and involves nearly 1.2 million F-150 pickup trucks and 16,000 Lincoln Mark LT vehicles, said the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is in addition to a previous recall of 144,000 Ford F-150 trucks, bringing the total for this issue to 1.33 million vehicles, NHTSA said. F-150 is the primary model of the F-series pickup trucks, the best-selling vehicles in North America for the past 34 years. Pickup trucks and SUVs generally create more profit for automakers than do smaller cars. Ford said it knows of no crashes or injuries caused by the issue. It will begin notifying vehicle owners in May to bring the pickup trucks or Lincolns into dealers for repair at no cost. Repairs will take less than half a day, Ford said. But owners are asked to bring in their vehicles right away if their airbag warning light is illuminated, Ford said. If the light is ignored, in some circumstances, the driver's side front airbag could deploy unexpectedly. Ford said the airbag warning typically is illuminated for "an extended period" before the driver's side front airbag surprises a driver by deploying. Drivers should have time to safely take the vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer if they do so when the warning signal is first lit, Ford said. Overall, the recall affects 1.32 million trucks from the model years 2004 to 2006. A mistake in the assembly of the vehicles could cause an airbag wire in the steering wheel to short-circuit, Ford and NHTSA said. The expansion comes after talks between the automaker and safety regulators in Washington. "We are pleased that Ford shares our commitment to safety and is taking action to protect consumers by expanding its safety recall," said NHTSA Administrator ...in a statement. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls 144,000 F-150 trucks for airbag risk YAHOO NEWS -- March 2, 2011 – Ford Motor Co said it would recall about 144,000 F-150 models in the United States and Canada from the 2005 and 2006 model years over a risk that airbags could deploy because of a short circuit. The automaker said a mistake in the assembly of the trucks at its Norfolk, Virginia, plant could cause an airbag wire in the steering wheel to short circuit. Ford said that it had received an unspecified number of complaints about the airbag problem. In most cases, it said, airbags had deployed just a few seconds after the trucks were started. A recall notice was not immediately posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, and it was not immediately clear how many drivers had complained of the problem or if there had been any reports of related injuries. "Ford is aware of one customer that jumped from the vehicle after a deployment that occurred in a driveway," the company said in a statement. The F-150 is the top-selling vehicle in the United States and Ford's dominance of the lucrative truck market has contributed to its turnaround under Chief Executive Alan Mulally. Ford said it would notify owners of the vehicles covered by the recall in early March. The automaker said it expected that the repair to replace the potentially flawed wiring harness would take less than half a day and would be done at no charge at Ford dealerships. Ford said that most of the vehicles with the flawed wire appeared to have been built during the first shift working at the Norfolk plant from November 2004 to June 2005. In cases where the airbag has deployed in the trucks, Ford said that a warning light had been illuminated notifying driver's that the vehicle needed service. MORE RECALL INFO: Ford F-150 FEBRUARY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2005 and 2006 F-150 pickup trucks manufactured at the Norfolk assembly plant from November 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005. If the clock spring jumper wire comes in contact with the driver side frontal air bag lower horn plate, the wire insulation may become chafed, creating a potential for a short circuit. If this occurs the air bag warning lamp may illuminate indicating that service is required. The driver side frontal air bag could inadvertently deploy increasing the risk of injury or loss of vehicle control if occurring while in motion. Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer to have a new clock spring jumper wire installed that incorporates a protective mesh cover. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2011. 11V-107 NEWS: Fuel leak risk, electrical issues prompt Ford recall YAHOO NEWS -- March 2, 2011 – Ford Motor Co (F.N) recalled more than 31,000 vehicles due to the risk of a possible fuel leak and electrical issues, according to a posting on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Ford recalled 23,688 Ford Ranger trucks saying the protective layer of an engine fuel line near the throttle body shield may not be properly installed, according to Wednesday's notice. Eventually this could lead to a fuel leak, but Ford said it was not aware of any fires related to this problem. The trucks, which are for the model year 2010, were built from October 2009 through May 2010 at the company's Twin Cities Assembly Plant. In a separate notice, Ford said it would recall more than 8,022 vehicles spanning seven models for the model year 2011 because their electrical system may short and prompt a vehicle fire. The models affected by this recall include the Ford Edge crossover, the Lincoln MKX crossover and the F-series line of pick-up trucks: the F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550. MORE RECALL INFO: Ford Ranger FEBRUARY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 Ford Ranger trucks manufactured from October 15, 2009, through May19, 2010. The engine fuel line in the area of the throttle body shield may not have a protective convolute (cover) properly installed. If the protective convolute on the fuel line is not assembled in the proper position, the edge of the shield may contact the fuel line. Over time this contact may chafe the fuel line, resulting in a fuel odor and a potential fuel leak. A sufficient fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Dealers will trim the throttle body shield away from the fuel line and inspect the fuel line for wear, and replace the line if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on March 4, 2011. 11V-126 NEWS: Ford recalls 8,022 vehicles - MY 2011 - electrical system - vehicle fire YAHOO NEWS -- March 2, 2011 – In a separate notice, Ford said it would recall more than 8,022 vehicles spanning seven models for the model year 2011 because their electrical system may short and prompt a vehicle fire. The models affected by this recall include the Ford Edge crossover, the Lincoln MKX crossover and the F-series line of pick-up trucks: the F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550. MORE RECALL INFO: FEBRUARY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Edge, and Lincoln MKX trucks manufactured from October 25, 2010, through November 20, 2010. These vehicles were inspected using integrated diagnostic system (ids) that had a custom software routine to read the suspect body control module (BCM) serial number. Based on the serial number the BCM was either not affected or replaced. The custom software routine was not reading the correct set of characters, and was not able to identify a BCM that required replacement affected BCMS may have the potential for an internal short. If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which could result in a vehicle fire. Dealer will inspect the body control module and if necessary replace it free of charge. The safety recall began on March 7, 2011. 11V-128 NEWS: Ford to recall F-150 pickups over air bags YAHOO NEWS -- February 23, 2011 – Under government pressure, Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it will recall nearly 150,000 F-150 pickup trucks to fix air bags that could deploy without warning. The recall covers trucks from the 2005-2006 model years in the United States and Canada for what the auto company calls a "relatively low risk" of the air bag deploying inadvertently. The recall, however, is much smaller in scope than what the government had requested. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, citing 77 injuries, told the company in a November 2010 memo that the recall should cover 1.3 million F-150 trucks from the 2004-2006 model years. The F-150 is the flagship of Ford's popular F-Series pickup trucks, the best-selling vehicle in America. The government expanded its investigation into the air bag problems in January 2010. A Transportation Department spokeswoman said the agency was currently reviewing Ford's response to see if the recall was adequate. If the government determines that the recall is too limited, it could lead to a rare public hearing to decide whether Ford should expand its safety action. NHTSA said in a Nov. 24 memo that it knew of 238 cases in which the air bags improperly deployed and noted that Ford made production changes to the trucks in 2006 and 2007 to fix the air bag wiring and other issues. Government regulators said in the memo that Ford did not believe the issue "warrants any corrective action" because the number of reports and incidents were low, owners received "adequate warning" from the air bag warning light and the "resulting injuries are minor in nature." Ford spokesman ... said in a statement Wednesday that the recall covered trucks built at the Norfolk, Va., assembly plant from November 2004 through June 2005. Ford spokesman said the majority of the complaints involved trucks built during the first shift of production at the Norfolk plant and the rates of air bags accidentally deploying were much higher in trucks built at the Virginia plant than those built at plants in Michigan and Missouri. Ford said an air bag wire located in the steering wheel could have been improperly positioned so it would chafe, expose bare copper and create the possibility of a short circuit that would light up the airbag warning lamp. Ford said most of the air bag issues happened within the first few seconds of the vehicle starting up and the company said it was aware of "one customer that jumped from the vehicle" after the air bag deployed while the truck was parked in a driveway. The recall, which was first reported by the Detroit News, is expected to begin in early March. Owners will be notified and told to bring their truck to their dealer.
NEWS: Ford recalls 2011 Explorer over second-row seats DETROIT NEWS -- February 7, 2011 – Ford Motor Co. is recalling its brand new 2011 Ford Explorer vehicles over concerns they may have defective second row seats. In a notice posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, Ford said that a test of second row seats with manual recliner mechanisms may have components that don't meet requirements. The recall covers 1,658 vehicles built between July 15 and December 13 of last year. Ford is also recalling 239 Explorers in Canada. Dealers will replace the second row seats with a manual recliner mechanism. Ford disclosed that the problem - discovered in mid-December - briefly resulted in a stop-ship of new Explorers from its Chicago Assembly plant. The redesigned 2011 Explorer - the newest version of its iconic SUV -- is a crucial vehicle for Ford. Ford told dealers to not sell any vehicles still at dealerships built during that timeframe until they are repaired. Ford said in mid-December, a new Explorer was identified with a noise in the second row seat. When the seat was inspected "there was unexpected observable movement of the center recliner seatback during manual forward loading." Ford said it isn't aware of any accidents or injuries connected to the recall. Ford will start mailing recall notices to owners starting Feb. 14. MORE RECALL INFO: Ford Explorer FEBRUARY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 Explorer vehicles manufactured from July 15, 2010, through December 13, 2010, equipped with second row 60% seats with manual recliner mechanisms that may have components that are out of dimensional specification. These seats fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, "Seating Systems." In the event of a crash, the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury. Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the seats free of charge. The safety recall began on February 15, 2011. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11C15. 11V-063 NEWS: Ford recalling F-150 pickups to fix door handles YAHOO NEWS -- February 3, 2011 – WASHINGTON – Ford Motor Co. recalled nearly 365,000 F-150 pickup trucks in North America on Thursday to fix a problem with the interior door handles that could lead to the doors opening in a crash. Ford said the recall affects about 280,000 F-150s in the U.S. from the 2009 and 2010 model years built from Jan. 18, 2008, through Nov. 30, 2009. About 68,000 of the popular trucks under recall are in Canada and about 14,000 are in Mexico. The Dearborn, Mich., company said there have been no crashes or injuries tied to the problem. The F-150 is part of Ford's popular F-Series pickup, the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. "Ford is committed to safety and is quickly working to address this matter with our customers," said Wes Sherwood, a company spokesman. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website that a spring in the interior door handle could break, causing the door to fail to latch properly. If the truck was struck by another vehicle on the side, the government said the door latch could open. The recall is expected to begin around Feb. 14. Ford said dealers would inspect the trucks and add reinforcements to the spring or replace the side interior door handle module. MORE RECALL INFO: Ford F-150 FEBRUARY 2011 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 F-150 vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2008, through November 30, 2009. The interior door handle housing embossment retaining the interior door handle spring may fracture during normal usage resulting in insufficient spring force to return the handle to the fully stowed position. In the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail causing the door latch to open. Owners will be initially notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer if any interior door handle is loose or fails to return to the stowed position after activation for replacement of the affect module. Once parts become available, owners will be refortified and instructed to take their vehicles to a ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer for inspection of each interior door handle. Depending on the results of the inspection, the dealer will either add a spring embossment reinforcement or replace the interior door handle module free of charge. The safety recall began on February 10, 2011. 11V-049 NEWS: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor: Transmission Surgery EDMUNDS AUTO NEWS -- January 21, 2011 – Awhile back we noted the transmission of our 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor was acting up. The hard-shift symptoms persisted so we did what we knew had to be done. We dropped the Raptor off at the local dealership. So far the dealer is dragging its feet. We are told the pan is being pulled today and that we can slip over to take some pictures once the tranny's been surgically removed. From there, it's time to diagnose the problem. When we know more, you'll know more.
NEWS: Ford recalls 15,000 trucks and crossovers YAHOO NEWS -- December 31, 2010 – Ford is recalling nearly 15,000 trucks and crossovers due to problems with electrical systems that can short and create a fire. The Detroit automaker said Thursday that the recall includes some 2011 model year F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. A Ford supplier of a control module produced the faulty product over a six-day period Owners may call Ford at 1-866-436-7332 to see if their vehicle is included in the recall. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford expands Windstar minivan recall YAHOO NEWS -- December 15, 2010 – Ford Motor Co. has expanded a recall of its Windstar minivans over concerns that their rear axles can corrode and break. The automaker has added 37,000 vans to the recall, bringing the total number of Windstars covered to 612,000 in the U.S. and Canada. The original recall, announced in August, included vans sold in the 1998 to 2003 model years in 21 U.S. states and Canada where heavy road salt can cause the axles to rust. The corrosion can lead to cracks that can cause the axles to break. The recall expansion includes 2003 model year vans with heat-treated axles. It also includes vans registered in Utah, where road salt is used in some areas. Ford had been checking state motor vehicle registration databases to find Windstar owners in the affected states. It began notifying owners of the additional 37,000 vans about the recall on Dec. 6. MORE RECALL INFO: JANUARY 2011 - Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. This could result in reduced steering control increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before February 14, 2011. 11V-030 DECEMBER 2010 - Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Edge and Lincoln MKX Vehicles. During a six-day production period, the supplier of the body control module manufactured modules that may have the potential for an internal short. If an electrical short develops, an overheating condition may occur which can result in an unattended vehicle fire. Dealer will replace the body control module if necessary free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before January 10, 2011. 10V-659 OCTOBER 2010 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured from July 1, 2010, through October 8, 2010. These vehicles were shipped with incorrectly configured electronic module settings that disable the locking function of the liftgate. Accordingly, the vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components." The liftgate lock may be disabled and the driver may not be able to lock the liftgate using interior lock switches or remote key fob buttons. Ford will notify owners and dealers will have the affected control modules updated free of charge. The safety recall began on November 1, 2010. 10V-516 SEPTEMBER 2010 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2009 F-650 and F-750 trucks equipped with Caterpillar C7 engine. The #5 and #6 fuel lines may crack at the fastening point to the common fuel rail and cause a fuel leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire. Ford is working with Caterpillar to notify owners and repairs will be performed by authorized Caterpillar dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on September 8, 2010. 10V-398 NEWS: Ford recalling 2010 Transit Connect Vans YAHOO NEWS -- July 9, 2010 – The government says ....Ford Motor Co... is recalling more than 30,000 2010 Transit Connect vans to replace pushpins holding the liners above the driver's head. The company says government testing found it failed to meet federal standards protecting the head.
AUGUST 2010 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured from September 1, 1997 through February 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which if undetected can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle. A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash. As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before September 27, 2010. 10V-385 MAY 2010 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 Ranger vehicles manufactured from June 8, 2009 through February 2, 2010 equipped with manual transmission. It is possible for the parking brake cable to become disconnected from the right rear actuator during cold weather. This may occur when the parking brake is released if wet parking brake shoes have frozen in the applied position. If the right rear parking brake cable becomes disconnected, the pedal will have extended travel and may not fully apply the parking brake. A manual transmission vehicle parked in neutral without a fully applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash. Dealers will install a revised right rear parking brake actuator to prevent cable disconnection free of charge. The safety recall began on May 21, 2010. . Ford's recall campaign number is 10S12. 10V-202 MAY 2010 -- Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 Fusion, Milan, and Escape vehicles manufactured from February 27, through March 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin may not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention". A vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash. Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 28, 2010. Ford's recall campaign number is 10C12. 10V-222 NEWS: U.S. probes Ford Fusion on reports of trapped pedals YAHOO NEWS – June 1, 2010 – U.S. safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into the possibility that accelerator pedals could be entrapped by floormats in Ford Motor Co (F.N) 2010 Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had verified three complaints of accelerator pedals being trapped by unsecured "all-weather" floormats in the current production model year of the Fusion. The NHTSA warned owners not to place unsecured floormats on top of the standard, carpeted floormat on the driver's side. It opened an investigation on Friday that covers an estimated 249,301 Fusion and Milan sedans. Ford spokesman ... said instructions imprinted on the automaker's all-weather floormats warn owners not to place them on top of existing floormats, as does the packaging. "We do not recommend stacking floormats in any vehicle,"... "We will cooperate fully with NHTSA as we always do." The NHTSA said it had received no complaints involving crashes, injuries or fatalities in the Ford vehicles. Any optional all-weather floormats should be installed only after removing the standard floormats, the agency said. Edmunds.com,, director of vehicle testing at Edmunds.com, described in mid-April an incident of unintended acceleration in a 2010 Fusion hybrid caused when the accelerator pedal became entrapped by a stacked floormat. Edmunds said the accelerator became stuck for three or four seconds after he passed slower traffic on his commute to work before returning to normal. A second experimental acceleration had a similar result, he said in a web posting. He reported the incident to the NHTSA.
NEWS: Ford Recalls 2010 Rangers With Manual Transmission YAHOO NEWS -- May 20. 2010 – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the parking brake cable can become disconnected from the right rear actuator during cold weather. This might occur when the parking brake is released if wet parking brake shoes have frozen in the applied position. If the right rear parking brake cable becomes disconnected, the pedal will have extended travel and may not fully apply the parking brake. A manual transmission vehicle parked in neutral without a fully applied parking brake may start moving, posing a crash risk. The vehicles involved in the recall were all manufactured from June 8, 2009 through Feb. 2, 2010. To remedy the problem, dealers will install a revised right rear parking brake actuator to prevent cable disconnection. This will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin this month. JANUARY 2010 - Certain model year 2010 Mustang Shelby GT 500 vehicles manufactured between October 28 and December 3, 2009, fail to conform to the tire loading and information requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." The rear tire size information is incorrect. The manufacturer has not yet provided the agency with a description of the consequence as it relates to motor vehicle safety. Ford will mail owners the correct tire label along with instructions of where and how to affix the label. The safety campaign is expected to begin during February 2010. 10V-030 DECEMBER 2009 - Ford is recalling model year 2010 F-650 and F-750 trucks. The S-cam tubes on the air brake axle assemblies were not greased and corrosion may develop over time, which may restrict release of the service brake at the affected wheel. If this occurs, it could cause excessive brake temperatures, noise, brake fade, odor, smoke, brake pull and possibly longer stopping distances which could increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will lubricate the S-cam tube and check the S-cam for free movement at all four wheel locations free of charge. The safety recall began on December 16, 2009. 09V-475 OCTOBER 2009 -- Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 Excursion, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 FSuper Suty, 1992-2003 Econoline, 1995-2002 Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001- 2003 Ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the Texas Instruments speed control deactivation switch (SCDS). The SCDS may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. A vehicle fire could occur. Ford will notify owners and dealers will install a fused wiring harness for the SCDS. Dealers will also inspect the abs control connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on October 27, 2009. Ford's recall campaign number is 09S09. 09V-399 NEWS: Ford adds 4.5M vehicles to defective switch recall (Yahoo News) -- Oct 13, 3009 -- Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it will add 4.5 million older-model vehicles to the long list of those recalled because a defective cruise control switch could cause a fire. The latest voluntary action pushes Ford's total recall due to faulty switches to 14.3 million registered vehicles over 10 years, capping the company's largest cumulative recall in history involving a single problem. The recall covers 1.1 million Ford Windstar minivans that had a small risk of fire due to internal leaking from the switches. Ford said in a letter to federal regulators that it found a small number of reported fires linked to the problem during an internal investigation that began last year, but did not specify how many. The remaining 3.4 million vehicles are Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models. Ford said there were no reports of fires with those models, most of them trucks and sport utility vehicles, but that they were included in the recall because they use the same switches. All vehicles covered by the recall are from the 1992 to 2003 model years. Ford advised owners of all vehicles covered by the recall to park them outside until they are mailed instructions by the end of the month on how to get repairs. The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker has struggled for a decade with the problem, which has prompted hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits over fires allegedly caused by faulty switches. A small number of injuries have also been linked to the problem, though none were reported in the latest recall. Previous recalls included some of Ford's most popular brands, like the popular F-series of pickup trucks. Ford began an investigation of Windstar vehicles in February 2008 after receiving a growing number of reports of fires under the vehicles' hoods, according to a letter the company sent to the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency late last week announcing the recall. In June 2008, NHTSA began its own probe of the problem. Investigators found that the switches, made by Texas Instruments, could leak internally, overheat and potentially ignite. NHTSA also identified four reports of leaking fluid damaging the antilock brake control module, resulting in a fire. The module is charged with electrical current and can ignite the fluid in rare cases, said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood. Even some vehicles without cruise control are part of the recall because they still have the switches with brake fluid routed through them. To repair the problem, dealers will install a harness to help prevent the fluid from flowing anywhere it could be ignited. Ford stopped using the Texas Instruments switch in 2003, according to Sherwood. The latest group of vehicles recalled is the last batch still on the road that had the switch installed. Texas Instruments said in a statement that it manufactured a switch "to meet and exceed Ford's specifications" and that it is only one component of Ford's cruise control deactivation system. The company cited a 2006 NHTSA investigation that found multiple factors were to blame for fires. Texas Instruments no longer owns the division that made the switches. NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said Ford "is to be commended for stepping forward to resolve this issue." The recall covers the following model years:
JUNE 2009 -- Ford is recalling 1,357 MY 2009 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles for failing to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The brake stop lamp switch may be improperly adjusted. This may result in a delay in brake stoplamp illumination when the brake pedal is depressed. In situations of very mild brake application, the brake stoplamps may not illuminate. Delay or loss of brake stoplamp function may increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will adjust the brake stoplamp switch free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before July 6, 2009. 09V-232 JUNE - Ford is recalling 65 MY 2008-2009 E-350 and MY 2009 E450 cutaway vehicles equipped with school bus prep packages for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 301, "Fuel System Integrity." These vehicles may not have been assembled with the fuel tank protection brackets that are required for school bus applications. In certain types of very severe crashes, the fuel tank may be damaged and result in a leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Dealers will inspect for proper fuel tank protection bracket installation and install brackets free of charge. The recall began on June 26, 2009. . 09V-231 MAY 2009 -- Ford is recalling 8,735 MY 2009 F-150 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The brake stop lamp switch may be improperly adjusted. This may result in a delay in brake stop lamp illumination when the brake pedal is depressed. In situations of very mild brake application, the brake stop lamps may not illuminate. Delay or loss of brake stop lamp function may increase the risk of an accident. Dealers will inspect and have the brake stop lamp switch removed and reinstalled which will provide proper adjustment. The remedy will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2009. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 or through the internet at www.ownerconnection.com. 09V-150 APRIL 2009 -- Ford Motor Company is recalling 429 MY 2009 Ford Econoline E-350 and E-450 cutaway school bus prep package vehicles manufactured from April 22, 2008 through March 2, 2009, to reposition the upper fuel tank protection bracket on the frame rail. In certain types of very severe crashes, the fuel tank may be damaged and result in a leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Ford will notify owners and dealers will reposition the upper fuel tank protection bracket free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 14, 2009. Owners may contact Ford toll-free at 1-866-436-7332 or contact a local Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer for more information. 09V-112 FEBRUARY 2009 -- Ford is recalling 11,134 MY 2009 4X2 ranger vehicles. Some front wheel spindles were improperly manufactured creating the risk that a spindle may fracture during the normal useful life of the truck. If a spindle fractures, the wheel may separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the front spindle if necessary free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. 09V-040 JULY 2008 -- Ford is recalling 142 MY 2008 Edge and Lincoln MKK all wheel drive vehicles. The fuel tank weld fixture may have been exposed to a contaminant during production which could cause a dimple in the bottom of the fuel tank at a spot weld. This dimple could result in fuel leakage or a fuel drip from the tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank. The recall is expected to begin during August 2008. 08V301 MAY 2008 -- Ford is recalling 605,684 MY 2005-2006 F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT vehicles equipped with 5.4L 3-Valve engines. The brake booster vacuum supply hose attached to the intake manifold fitting may swell over time and lose retention force. This condition could allow the hose to become detached from the fitting during an intake manifold backfire. Should the hose detach from the intake manifold, several brake applications with power assist will be available before the vacuum reserve is depleted. Once the brake booster vacuum reserve is depleted, the driver will have foundation brake function, but with increased brake pedal effort. Reduced vehicle braking could lead to a crash. Dealers will replace a rubber hose on the brake booster vacuum supply tube assembly. The recall is expected to begin on or about July 7, 2008. This recall was the subject of a Preliminary Evaluation, PE08-001, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V208 APRIL 2008 -- Ford is recalling 158 MY 2008 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and the limo builders package. These vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems." The tire pressure was increased from 35 psi to 40 psi without a commensurate update to the TPMS calibrations. The TPMS indicator light will not illuminate when a tire pressure is 25 percent below the 40 psi value stated on the tire placard label occurs. Dealers will reconfigure the TPMS thresholds to the appropriate pressures. The recall began on April 24, 2008. 08V-166 APRIL 2008 -- Ford is recalling 3,331 MY 2008 E-350 vehicles built with a 138 inch wheel base. The drive shaft may have been manufactured with a slip yoke that has cracks. The effect of the cracks on fatigue performance is variable, but on some yokes with cracks, the performance is reduced below design specification. Cracks in the slip yoke would progress over time and the slip yoke could fracture without warning while the vehicle is being driven allowing the drive shaft to separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will have the drive shaft inspected for manufacturing date and replace it free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2008. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. 08V165 APRIL 2008 -- Ford is recalling 64,754 MY 2008 F-250 and F-350 single rear wheel, 4x4, 156 inch wheel base pickup trucks equipped with a two piece drive shaft for failing to conform to the fuel spillage requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 301, "Fuel System Integrity." During a 30 mph frontal impact into a rigid barrier, the fuel tank can move forward and contact a frame cross member, potentially causing damage to the fuel delivery module which can result in fuel spillage. Fuel spillage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Dealers will install a bracket on the affected vehicles free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before May 26, 2008. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. 08V191 FEBRUARY 2008 -- Ford is recalling 57,199 MY 2006-2007 E-150, E-250, E-350, and MY 2007 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 5.4L engines. The fuel rail cross-over hose may contain weak areas. As a result, the hose may crack, which could cause a fuel odor and/or fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel rail assembly. The recall is expected to begin during March 2008. 08V057 FEBRUARY 2008 -- Ford is recalling 123,632 MY 2007-2008 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The door handle housing embossment retaining the bottom of the interior door handle spring on all side doors may fracture during normal customer usage. This can result in insufficient spring force to return the handle to the fully closed position. The handle may be loose causing a rattle or noise and the handle may not return to the fully closed position. This condition may also provide a delayed resistance when actuating the handle prior to opening the door. In the event of a side impact crash, the interior door handle may cause the door latch to open increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant. Dealers will replace the interior handle spring on all side doors. The recall is expected to begin during March 2008. 08V058 FEBRUARY 2008 -- Ford is recalling 434,593 MY 2005-2008 Mustang vehicles for failing to comply with one of the neck injury requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," for an unbelted 5th percentile female sitting in the passenger seat while it is in the full forward position. During an air bag deployment, if a small female in the front passenger seat is not wearing the safety belt, and has the seat in the full forward position, there may be an increased potential for a neck injury. Dealers will reprogram the restraint control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during March 2008. This recall was the subject of an investigation, OA-208-061002F, conducted by the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 or through email to www.ownerconnection.com. 08V-082 FEBRUARY 2008 -- Ford is recalling 87,515 MY 2008 F250, F350, F450, and F550 vehicles for failing to comply with all the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, "Seating Systems." Some 40% split and captain's chair driver's seats, equipped with lumbar supports, may have improper welds at the joint of the seat back pivot bracket and the seat back frame. In the event of a crash, the seat side pivot bracket may crack or break, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Dealers will add reinforcement to the driver's seat back frame on the 40% split or captain's chair seat equipped with lumbar support or, if necessary, the seat back frame will be replaced. The recall is expected to begin on or about March 24, 2008. 08V096 NOVEMBER 2007 -- Ford is recalling 1,176,000 MY 1997-2003 F-Super Duty, E-Series and Excursion vehicles equipped with 7.3L diesel engines. The camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall. In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning. Dealers will inspect the sensor and replace it with an improved camshaft position sensor. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. 07V553 NOVEMBER 2007 -- Ford is recalling 45 MY 2008 Focus, Expedition, F250 and F350 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, 'Occupant Crash Protection.' The driver air bag module may not have been properly assembled. This condition may prevent the driver air bag from properly deploying and reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash. Dealers will replace the driver air bag module. The recall began on November 20, 2007. 07V541 SEPTEMBER 2007 -- Ford is recalling 1,497 MY 2008 Explorer, Explorer Sport Track and Mercury Mountaineer sport utility vehicles equipped with the 4.6L engine and 6R transmission. The bolt securing the transmission oil cooler line fittings at the transmission may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle assembly. As a result, the bolt may loosen and the transmission oil cooler lines may disengage from the transmission, causing a transmission fluid leak. If leaking transmission fluid contacts the catalytic converter, it may pose a risk of fire. Dealers will inspect and have the transmission cooler line attachment bolt tightened. The recall began on August 30, 2007. 07V-453 SEPTEMBER 2007 -- Ford is recalling 3.6 million MY 1993 Bronco, MY 1992-1998 Crown Victoria, MY 1997-2003 E-150, E-250, E-350, Econoline, MY 2003 E-450, MY 1992-1993 E-150, E250, E350, E450, Econoline, MY 1999-2001 Explorer, MY 2001-2002 Explorer Sport, MY 2001-2002 Explorer Sport Trac, MY 2003-2004 F-150 Lightning, MY 1993 F150, F250, F350, F450, MY 1995-2002 F53, MY 1998-2002 Ranger, MY 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, MY 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII, MY 1992-1998 Town Car, MY 1994 Mercury Capri, MY 1992-1998 Grand Marquis and MY 1999-2001 Mountaineer pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor home chassis. The speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn. This could result in an underhood fire. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair as soon as repair parts are available (expected October 2007), Owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on August 13, 2007, and mailing completed by September 19, 2007. This recall was the subject of an Engineering Analysis, EA05-005, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 07V336 NEWS: Feds warns Ford owners about recalled vehicles WASHINGTON (AP) - Sept 9 -- The government is urging owners of 5 million recalled Ford vehicles to bring them to dealerships to repair a cruise control switch system that has been tied to engine fires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday issued a second consumer advisory to owners of certain unrepaired Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, vans and passenger cars who have not responded to previous recalls. NHTSA said about 12 million vehicles have been part of the recall and nearly 5 million still have not been fixed. A similar warning was issued in February but officials said the rate of the vehicles being repaired has declined. The recalls have affected Ford's popular F-Series pickup trucks and led to hundreds of complaints and dozens of lawsuits over engine fires. Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said the Dearborn, Mich., company supported the effort to communicate with owners. He said owners have received several recall notices but "the return rate has been lower than expected or hoped (for)." Dealers have installed a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system as part of the recall, and the government said replacement parts are available. Owners can take their vehicle to a dealer to have the cruise control deactivated until the parts arrive. NHTSA issued a lengthy list of older vehicles covered by the consumer advisory, including 1993-2004 Ford F150 trucks, 1994-2002 F250 through F550 Super Duty trucks with gasoline engines, and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, which were among the best-selling vehicles in the nation during those years. MORE RECALL INFO: NEWS: Ford recalls over 650,000 pickups for brake hose Defective hose could affect braking power on F-150 and Lincoln Mark TL pickup trucks. MORE RECALL INFORMATION: Ford F-150 Lincoln Mark LT NEWS: Ford Recalls F-250, F-350 Trucks for Fire Hazard Consumer Affairs -- April 29, 2008 -- The Ford Motor Company is recalling 64,754 of its heavy duty 2008 F-250 and F-350 trucks because of a potential fire hazard. NEWS: Ford Recalls F-Series Trucks Ford Recalls About 100,000 2008 F-Series Trucks Yahoo News -- March 6, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 100,000 2008 F-Series trucks because the front driver's seat does not conform with federal standards. Ford says the weld connecting a bracket and the driver's front seat back could crack on a small number of vehicles. As a result, the vehicles do not comply with federal rules for seat back strength. The recall covers F-250 through F-550 Super Duty trucks. More than 87,000 of the trucks are in the United States and 14,000 are in Canada. Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said Thursday that no injuries have been reported. Ford discovered the issue after receiving reports of the weld cracking. NEWS: Ford Recalls 470,000 Mustangs to Update Air Bags DETROIT-- February 27, 2008 -- According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Ford has recalled potentially 470,000 Mustangs, years 2005-2008, due to a concern with the front-passenger air bag. A recall notice on the NHTSA's Website said small females riding in the front-passenger seat, without a seat belt on, could be at an increased risk of neck injury if the seat were to be in the full forward position during air bag deployment. NEWS: Ford Recalls 57,000 More Trucks, SUVS for Fire Hazard Latest recall unrelated to other fire-related Ford recalls ConsumerAffairs.Com -- February 11, 2008 -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling another 57,199 trucks and SUVs warning that the vehicles might catch fire because of a design flaw. Ford Expedition - Lincoln Navigator - E-150, E-250, E-350 NEWS: Ford recalling vehicles over door handles and fuel hoses WASHINGTON (AP) -- 2/11/2008 The Associated Press- Ford Motor Co. said Monday it was recalling more than 180,000 sport utility vehicles and vans in two separate recalls to fix interior door handles and faulty fuel hoses. The second recall involves more than 57,000 2006-2007 E-150, E-250 and E-350 vans, and 2007 Expedition and Navigator SUVs with 5.4 liter engines. NEWS: Ford Fire Hazard Recall Creeps Along - Parts shortages delay repairs of fire-prone Fords NEWS: Ford recalls 1.2 million trucks for engine flaw DETROIT (Reuters) - December 6, 2007 - Ford Motor Co. said on Thursday it had recalled about 1.2 million vans, sport utility vehicles and heavy-duty pickup trucks because of a flaw in an engine sensor that could cause sudden stalling. NEWS: Ford recalls 3.6 million vehicles NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - August 3 2007 -- Ford Motor Co. will recall 3.6 million vehicles to remove a cruise control switch that has been associated with fires in other vehicles. Vehicles being recalled range from the 1992 to 2004 model years and include the Ford Bronco, Lincoln Town Car, Ford Explorer, Ford Ranger and Mercury Grand Marquis among others. The company is doing this in order to respond to customer concerns about the safety of the switch, which has been the subject of previous recalls. The reason for this recall is different from any other recall we've done in the past related to cruise control deactivation switches," said Ford spokesman ... None of the vehicles involved in this recall have experienced an abnormal number of fires, Jarvis said. The company is recalling the vehicles so that customers will not be concerned about the switch, he said. In 2005 and 2006, the company recalled nearly 6 million vehicles because of problems with the cruise control cut-off switch. The switch shuts off the cruise control when the driver firmly steps on the brakes. The switch is located under the hood of the vehicle and is attached to the brake master cylinder on one end and wired to the cruise control on the other. The switch is powered at all times, even when the vehicle is turned off. In some cases fluid leaking the switch could cause it to short circuit resulting in a fire, which led to the earlier recalls The recall will begin on August 13. Vehicle owners will have the cruise control switch, also called the speed control switch, deactivated as an interim repair. When new parts are available, which is expected to be October, dealers will begin installing new parts |
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