Ford Issues Safety Recall for the Ford F-150 and More

Ford Motor Company was up bright and early recently, but not share any news of exciting new vehicles, but instead something they dread doing. Issuing safety recalls.

In total, Ford announced three safety recalls, and two safety compliance recalls for North America.

The first recall revolves around an output speed sensor on the vehicle’s transmission lead frame for the F-150, Expedition, Navigator and Mustang. The second recall involves the 2014-2015 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace rear suspension toe links. Lastly, Ford is recalling approximately 2,600 2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles to inspect and replace tires as needed.

Going back to the first, and perhaps more widespread issue, a downshift to first gear while driving at 10 mph or even worse, 70 mph could not only cause irreversible damage to your Ford vehicle, but could also lead to sudden loss of control, increase the risk for crash, and even lead to injury or death.

Ford says that it’s aware of three accident reports because of this issue, but none that have lead to personal injury. Regardless, potentially affected customers will be notified to take their vehicles for inspection at their nearest Ford dealership. If related diagnostic trouble codes are found, dealers will update the powertrain control module software and replace the lead frame at no cost to the customer.

See full press release below for more details on all recalls.

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Ford issues safety recall and customer satisfaction program for certain 2011-2012 Ford F-150, and 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles in North America to update powertrain control module software and inspect for certain diagnostic trouble codes
Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 202,000 2011-2012 Ford F-150, and 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles for a potential issue with the output speed sensor on the vehicle’s transmission lead frame. Under certain conditions, the transmission controls could force a temporary downshift into first gear. Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time of the downshift, the driver could experience an abrupt speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up. This condition could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford is aware of three reports of accidents and no injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles are equipped with a 6R80 transmission and include certain 2011-2012 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant, Aug. 19, 2011 through March 9, 2012; 2012 Ford Expedition vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant, Aug. 19, 2011 through Dec. 19, 2011; Ford Mustang vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Aug. 19, 2011 through Feb. 21, 2012; and Lincoln Navigator vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant, Aug. 19, 2011 through Dec. 17, 2011. There are 201,900 vehicles affected, including 184,000 in the United States and federalized territories and 17,900 in Canada.

Dealers will inspect the powertrain control module for diagnostic trouble codes tied to the issue. If no related diagnostic trouble codes are present, dealers will update the powertrain control module software, which will eliminate the downshift into first gear if an OSS fault occurs. Additionally, as part of the corresponding customer satisfaction program, 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.

If related diagnostic trouble codes are present, dealers will update the powertrain control module software and replace the lead frame at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2014-2015 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace rear suspension toe links
Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 81,000 2014-2015 Ford Explorer and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles to replace rear suspension toe links. In certain vehicles, it is possible that the left and right rear suspension toe links could fracture due to poor weld quality. This condition could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering or loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford is aware of one accident and one injury related to this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2014-2015 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Jan. 17, 2014 through May 31, 2014 and Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Jan. 21, 2014 through May 13, 2014. There are 81,036 vehicles affected by the issue, including 75,364 in the United States and federalized territories, 4,615 in Canada and 1,057 in Mexico.

Dealers will replace the left and right rear suspension toe links and align the rear suspension at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles to inspect and replace tires
Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 2,600 2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles to inspect and replace tires as needed. In certain vehicles, tires could have been damaged from a conveyor during assembly. In some cases, the sidewall damage could cause a rupture during use, resulting in rapid air loss and increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant, April 5, 2016 through April 10, 2016. There are 2,596 vehicles affected by this issue, including 2,288 in the United States and federalized territories, 271 in Canada and 37 in Mexico.

Dealers will inspect the tires for inboard sidewall damage and replace as needed at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2007-2012 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable vehicles to replace driver airbag module
Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 200 2007-2012 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable vehicles to replace the driver airbag module. In certain vehicles, the chemical enhancer for the second-stage airbag deployment could be missing from the module, which may increase the risk of an injury in a crash that requires second-stage deployment. This condition does not affect primary-stage airbag deployment. This issue is unrelated to the Takata airbag inflator safety recall.

Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include 199 vehicles in North America, built at Chicago Assembly Plant and Oakville Assembly, Dec. 13, 2007 through Oct. 6, 2011.

Dealers will replace the driver airbag module at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles to replace driver seat track assembly
Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 40 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles to replace the driver seat track assembly. In certain vehicles, the seat mounting bracket attachment to the seat track rail may have been improperly welded, resulting in reduced seat track strength.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.

Affected vehicles include 39 vehicles in the United States, built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, March 10, 2016 through March 16, 2016.

Dealers will replace the driver seat track assembly at no cost to the customer.