Ford is recalling about 285,000 cars and SUVs in five recalls with a few of the recalls involving defects that caused accidents and injuries.
Ford F-150, Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator
Ford is recalling about 202,000 model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles that can suddenly downshift at any time.
The automaker says it received three reports of accidents caused by vehicles downshifting into first gear without warning. The problem is caused by the transmission controls, specifically problems with the output speed sensors.
Ford says a driver could experience a sudden jolt because of the vehicle moving to first gear, something that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up.
All the vehicles are equipped with the 6R80 transmissions and although three accidents have been reported due to the downshifting, Ford says it is unaware of any injuries. The recalled vehicles were manufactured at various times and locations.
- 2011-2012 Ford F-150: Built in Michigan and Kansas City from August 19, 2011, through March 9, 2012.
- 2012 Ford Expedition: Built in Kentucky from August 19, 2011, through December 19, 2011.
- 2012 Ford Mustang: Manufactured in Michigan from August 19, 2011, through February 21, 2012.
- 2012 Lincoln Navigator: Manufactured in Kentucky from August 19, 2011, through December 17, 2011.
Ford says all the vehicles are in the U.S. except almost 18,000 located in Canada.
The automaker says dealers will check the powertrain control module for diagnostic trouble codes and if no codes are present, dealers will update the powertrain control module software. If diagnostic trouble codes are present, dealers will update the powertrain control module software and replace the lead frame.
Additionally, Ford will provide a one-time replacement of the lead frame at no charge within 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date.
Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility
About 81,000 model year 2014-2015 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility SUVs are recalled because the rear suspension toe links can break and cause a loss of steering control.
The automaker says steering could be lost because the welds aren't to specifications on the right and left rear suspension toe links. If a driver doesn't lose steering control, they will likely have some kind of trouble with steering and hear a noise coming from the rear suspension.
The automaker blames the defect on at least one accident and one injury. The recalled 2014-2015 Ford Explorers were produced January 17, 2014, through May 31, 2014. The recalled Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles were built January 21, 2014, through May 13, 2014.
Ford says 75,364 of the SUVs are in the U.S., 4,615 are in Canada and 1,057 in Mexico.
Dealers will replace the left and right rear suspension toe links and align the rear suspension.
Ford F-Series Super Duty Trucks
Ford is recalling about 2,600 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks to inspect and possibly replace the tires. The automaker says the tires on the model year 2016 trucks may have been damaged during assembly to the point of causing the tires to blow out.
Ford blames the problem on damage to the tire sidewalls from a conveyor used during assembly. However, Ford says it is unaware of any accidents or injuries on the F-Series trucks.
About 2,288 of the trucks are in the United States, about 271 are in Canada and 37 are located in Mexico.
Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable
About 200 model year 2007-2012 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable vehicles need the driver-side airbag modules replaced. The automaker says the issue is unrelated to Takata airbag inflators that have caused millions of vehicles to be recalled.
Ford tracked the problem to a "chemical enhancer" used for the second stage of the deployment of the airbag. The problem is simple: the chemical is missing from the airbag module.
Ford says there aren't any reported accidents or injuries related to the airbag modules, but dealers will still need to replace all the affected modules.
Ford Fusion
Add another 40 cars to Ford's list of recalls as the automaker calls back the 2016 Ford Fusion to replace the driver seat track assembly. The problem is the seat mounting bracket attachment that has a faulty weld to the seat track rail, causing the seat track to weaken.
The automaker says the recalled cars were built March 10, 2016, through March 16, 2016. Ford says the problem hasn't caused any accidents or injuries.
Ford dealers will replace the driver seat track assembly once the recall begins.
The automaker hasn't said when any of the recalls will begin, but owners with questions should call 866-436-7332.