Ford issues vehicle recalls including for tires

Detroit, Michigan – Ford Motor Co. has issued five recalls covering about 285,000 vehicles in North America.

The recalls – issued 27 April – cover problems that include transmissions downshifting into first gear at high speeds, poor welding and tires damaged by a factory conveyor belt. The recalls are connected to four crashes and one injury, according to Ford.

The largest of the recalls covers 201,900 F-150s, Mustangs, Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators from the 2011 and 2012 model years. On those vehicles, Ford said a problem with the output speed sensor on the transmission’s lead frame could force a temporary downshift into first gear, which at high speeds could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up.

Ford said it knows of three accidents but no injuries caused by drivers losing control of their vehicle when that happened. Dealers are being told to update the powertrain control module software and, if a diagnostic trouble code is present, to replace the lead frame. For vehicles without a trouble code, Ford will provide a one-time replacement of the lead frame within 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date.

Another recall covers 81,036 Explorers and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles from the 2014 and 2015 model years with poorly welded suspension toe links. Ford said the problem could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering or loss of steering control.

One accident and one injury are connected to the problem. Dealers will replace the suspension toe links and align the rear suspension.

There are also three smaller recalls, none of which is linked to any crashes or injuries:

Tires on 2,596 F-series Super Duty pickups might have been damaged by a conveyor during assembly and could consequently rupture. They will be inspected and replaced as needed.

Airbags on 199 cars and crossovers from the 2007 through 2012 model years — the Flex, Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable — could be missing the chemical enhancer necessary for second-stage deployment in severe crashes. Ford said the problem doesn’t affect first-stage deployment and is not related to the recalls of airbags made by Takata Corp. Dealers will replace the driver-side airbag module.

The driver’s seat track assembly on 39 2016 Fusions might have been weakened by improper welding.