Ford Issues Five Safety Recalls and One Safety Compliance Recall in North America

DEARBORN, MI -- Sept. 30, 2015: Ford Motor Company is issuing five safety recalls and one safety compliance recall in North America. A small number of accidents are attributed to these conditions; no injuries. Details are as follows:
 

Ford issues safety recall for certain 1998-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles for rear axle inspection
Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 340,000 1998-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles for a potential issue with a previous safety recall repair. There is a risk that the combined effects of corrosion and stress can lead to cracks in the axle that – if undetected – can grow and result in a complete fracture. The previous recall repair involved installing a rear axle reinforcement bracket to mitigate the safety risk in the event of an axle fracture. A bracket incorrectly installed could limit the effectiveness of that recall repair. A fractured rear axle could affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford is aware of a small number of accidents that might be connected to this issue, but no injuries.

Affected vehicles include certain 1998-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles that received rear axle reinforcement brackets during a previous safety recall repair and were built at Oakville Assembly Plant Sept. 2, 1997 through July 3, 2003.

There are a total of approximately 340,000 (actual 342,271) vehicles originally produced that might be affected in North America. Of this total, 283,413 vehicles are located in the United States and federalized territories, and 58,858 are in Canada.

Dealers will inspect these vehicles to determine if the brackets were correctly installed. Customers whose vehicles had the bracket installed incorrectly will have their rear axle replaced. If the bracket was correctly installed, customers will receive an incentive to replace their rear axle at a reduced cost. The offer is good for one year with unlimited mileage.
 

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles with remanufactured transmissions for potential issue
Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 70 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles with a remanufactured transmission due to a possible loose shift control lever bolt. In these vehicles, the shift control lever bolt might not have been tightened properly, which could cause the shift lever to disengage from the transmission without warning. This can result in the loss of transmission gear selection and the vehicle could roll away, increasing the risk of an injury or crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles with remanufactured transmissions that were built June 11, 2015 through July 5, 2015.

There are a total of approximately 70 (actual 69) vehicles that might be affected in North America. There are 57 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 11 in Canada and one in Mexico.

Dealers will check to ensure the shift control lever bolt is tightened properly at no cost to the customer.
 

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles for potential adaptive cruise control issue
Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 37,000 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles for a potential issue with adaptive cruise control. When passing a large, highly reflective truck, the adaptive cruise control radar in some of these vehicles could incorrectly identify the truck as being in the F-150 lane of travel when it is not. As a result, the vehicle might apply the brakes until the truck is no longer perceived to be in the lane of travel. The collision warning system red warning light might also flash and a tone might be heard at the same time. When this happens, the brake lights will illuminate. The potential duration of this unexpected adaptive cruise control braking could increase the risk of a crash involving a vehicle behind the F-150.

Ford received a report of one accident that could be related to this issue; no injuries were reported.

Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant, March 18, 2014 through Aug. 5, 2015, and at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Aug. 11, 2014 through Aug. 6, 2015.

There are a total of approximately 37,000 (actual 36,857) vehicles that might be affected in North America. There are 33,481 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, and 3,376 in Canada.

Dealers will update the adaptive cruise control module software at no cost to the customer.
 

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2015 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles, and certain 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles for potential fuel tank attachment bolt issue
Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 250 2015 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles, as well as 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles for a potential issue with the fuel tank attachment bolts that might not have been tightened properly. As a result, the fuel tank straps could fracture after an extended period of time, causing the fuel tank to separate from the vehicle, leading to a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire.

Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles, and certain 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant on July 24, 2015.

There are a total of approximately 250 (actual 251) vehicles that might be affected in North America. There are 203 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, and 48 in Canada.

Dealers will properly tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts at no cost to the customer.
 

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles for potential shift control bracket issue
Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 1,500 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles for a potential issue with the shift control bracket. The shift control bracket might not have been manufactured properly, so the vehicle might be able to be shifted into reverse without applying the brakes. This could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of accident or injury.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 vehicles built at Detroit Chassis Plant, June 1, 2015 through Aug. 11, 2015.

There are a total of approximately 1,500 (actual 1,477) vehicles that might be affected in North America – all located in the United States.

Dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the shift cable at no cost to the customer.
 

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for fuel tank issue
Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 700 2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for a potential compliance issue with the fuel tank. In these vehicles, the fuel tank might not have been manufactured properly and could crack in a crash, which is a compliance issue with FMVSS 301 regarding fuel system integrity. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could lead to a fire.

Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Sept. 3, 2015 through Sept. 13, 2015, and certain 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Sept. 3, 2015 through Sept. 12, 2015.

There are a total of approximately 700 (actual 708) vehicles that might be affected in North America. There are 658 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 28 in Canada and 22 in Mexico.

Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to the customer.