Ford Issues Five Recalls For 202K Vehicles

DEARBORN (WWJ) - Ford Motor Company has issued five safety recalls for approximately 202,000 vehicles in North America.

The first recall covers approximately 27,600 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for potentially incorrect fuel and vapor line routing. If the lines are routed incorrectly, they may rub together, possibly causing a leak in the fuel line over time. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2014 Transit Connect vehicles with a 2.5-liter engine built at Valencia Assembly, Aug. 1, 2013 to July 10, 2014. Dealers will inspect the lines, and reroute and replace the fuel line if necessary, at no cost to the customer.

The second recall covers approximately 90 2015 Ford Transit vehicles for an issue with the bracket that holds the fuel filter to the frame. It may become detached over time, resulting in a knocking sound or an engine stall due to fuel starvation. An unexpected engine stall while driving, with the inability to restart the engine, may lead to an increased risk of a crash. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Transit vehicles with a 3.2-liter diesel engine built at Kansas City Assembly, July 28, 2014 to Aug. 7, 2014. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and reinforce the underbody structure, if necessary, at no cost to the customer.

The third recall covers approximately 38,600 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car vehicles  because they may have been improperly repaired during a previous safety recall for an issue with the lower intermediate steering shaft. This improper repair could potentially result in a loss of steering. Ford is aware of one accident and no injuries attributed to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria vehicles built at St. Thomas Assembly, March 23, 2004 to Aug. 30, 2011; certain 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles built at St. Thomas Assembly, March 23, 2004 to Aug. 30, 2011; certain 2005-2007 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at Wixom Assembly, March 8, 2004 to June 5, 2007 and certain 2008-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at St. Thomas Assembly, Aug. 28, 2007 to Aug. 30, 2011.

Dealers will inspect and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft if necessary. They will also inspect the steering column lower bearing and install a bearing retainer kit if necessary.

The fourth recall covers approximately 950 2014 Ford F-150 vehicles for a brake pedal position switch that may be incorrectly adjusted, possibly resulting in a delay or a non-illumination of the brake lights when the brake pedal is depressed. This is a noncompliance issue with FMVSS 108, which relates to lamps. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Drivers may need to use additional brake pressure to disengage the cruise control system, so Ford is advising customers not to use cruise control until the vehicle has been repaired. The cruise control system off switch on the steering wheel will continue to disengage the system.

Affected vehicles include certain F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck, March 1, 2014 to March 13, 2014 and certain F-150 vehicles built at Kansas City Assembly, March 3, 2014 to March 13, 2014. Dealers will remove and reinstall the brake pedal position switch at no cost to the customer.

The fifth recall covers approximately 135,000 2014 Ford Flex and F-150 vehicles for a passenger seat sensing issue that could result in non-deployment of the passenger airbag in certain frontal crashes, if an adult is in the passenger seat. This may increase the risk of injury in certain frontal crashes. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2014 Flex vehicles built at Oakville Assembly, March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014; certain 2014 F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck, March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014; certain 2014 F-150 vehicles built at Kansas City Assembly, March 1, 2014 to May 31, 2014 and certain 2009-2014 F-150 vehicles serviced with a suspect seat track assembly repaired Feb. 17, 2014 through Oct. 31, 2014.

Dealers will widen the gap between the manual seat frame and seat track assembly, then calibrate the seat occupant classification system at no cost to the customer.