Ford Fusion and MKZ Recalls

Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Recall

The Ford Motor Company has recalled both its Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles for a problem with the front brake hoses.
The recall applies to 2013 through 2018 model years and involves approximately 1.3 million units. The problem
with the hoses is that they can rupture and leak brake fluid. The resulting leak can increase vehicle stopping distances.
Ford will begin sending recall letters to owners on April 17, 2023. It should be noted that parts are not yet available and
a second letter will be sent to owners advising when they can take their vehicles in for repair. Owners should then take
their vehicles to their dealers where the front brake hoses will be replaced free of charge. For additional information,
owners can call Ford at 1-866-436-7332 and referencing recall # 23S12.

Ford Recalls Vehicles for Safety Issues

Ford Motor Company has announced the recall of approximately 360,000 vehicles in North America for a problem that can be a fire hazard. The problem is that certain vehicles can overheat due to lack of coolant circulation.  Lack of coolant of coolant circulation can be caused by fluid leakage.  Overheating of the engine can cause the engine cylinder head to crack resulting in the release of oil.  Oil coming into contact with hot surfaces such as the exhaust manifold can cause an engine fire to erupt.  The recall applies to 2014 Escape SUVs, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion, and 2013-2015 Transit Connect Vans.  Owners can take their vehicles to their dealers to have them checked.  At this time, Ford has not decided if the company will fix any coolant leaks but will install a coolant level senor to tell the driver when their vehicle needs additional coolant.  For additional information, owners can contact Ford directly by calling 1-800-392-3673 or visiting their website at www.ford.com.

In addition to the coolant issue, Ford has increased its recall of certain vehicles due an on going problem with faulty door latches. In the latest recall, a pawl located inside the door latch can break preventing the door from closing completely.  This means that the door can open while the vehicle is in motion.  To date, the recall covers the following vehicles: 2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and 2013-2015 C-Max.  Owners should take vehicles to their dealers to have them checked and repaired if necessary.  For additional information, owners can contact Ford by calling 1-800-392-3673 or visiting their website at www.ford.com.

 

 

 

Wheel Separation from Ford Vehicles

Recently, Ford announced a new recall for its 2010-2011  Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles.  It seems that the lug studs can break and cause a wheel to separate from the vehicle.  Needless to say, wheels are not supposed to separate from the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.  However, in over 20 years of engineering investigations, I have only seen two instances where I felt that wheel separation in a crash senario was the fault of the manufacturer.  Both cases involved 90s model Ford trucks; an F150 and a Ford Ranger.  Both cases also involved impact with another object, the F150 with another vehicle and the Ranger with a wire fense and post.  During the course of each investigation, each wheel was found intact but away from the area of final rest of the trucks.  The brake calipers were also found attached to each wheel rim.  However, the cotter pin that prevents the spindle nut from turning was missing in both cases.  But, more to the point, the threads on the spindle shaft were undamaged in both cases suggesting that the nut had unwound allowing the wheels to separate before the impacts occurred. Incidentally, the findings appeared to corroborate the stories of each driver.