Ford is asking the owners of certain 2018 Ford Escape and 2018 Lincoln MKC vehicles to return to their dealership for a problem affecting the brakes. According to the defect report, incorrect front brake jounce hoses may have been installed and could contact adjacent components during normal driving conditions. This could result in premature wear of the hoses and a potential brake fluid leak. Loss of brake fluid will increase the distance needed to stop the vehicle. Drivers will be alerted of a problem through an illuminated brake fluid warning light.

Dealers will inspect the brake hoses, replacing incorrect ones as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S04 and the NHTSA campaign number is 18V-104.

Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles regarding a problem that could cause the front seat belt anchor cable to fail. According to the defect report, the strength of the cable can be degraded due to internal pretensioner temperatures created during deployment. If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury during a crash.

Owners will be notified of the safety issue beginning on January 20, 2017, and a second notice will be mailed when parts become available. For more information about the problem, owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S42 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-875.

Ford will be contacting the owners of certain 2016 Ford Explorer and 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC vehicles equipped with 2.3L GTDI engines and block heaters, about a problem that could result in an engine fire. According to the defect report, the design of the block heater area, coupled with the engine installation angle and the length of the block heater element, could result in overheating. Drivers may notice engine coolant leaks, an illuminated check engine light, poor vehicle heater performance and /or heat damage to the electrical connector on the engine block heater. Continue reading

A defect affecting certain 2014 Ford Escape and 2015 Lincoln MKC SUVs will have approximately 10,000 owners returning to their dealers to have their fuel pump replaced. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, contamination due to improper nickel plating could cause excessive pump friction and eventual pump failure. The engine could stall without warning and/or fail to start. An engine stall without warning while driving could increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading

A poorly placed ignition button will have owners of certain 2015 Lincoln MKC returning to their dealership to have the problem repaired. According to reports, the ignition button could be accidentally pressed as drivers reach to shift gears or use the dashboard touch screen. The engine may shut off while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the likelihood of an accident. There have been no reports of injury related to the problem, but two complaints by consumers on the NHTSA website say they have accidentally pushed the button and shut off the engine while driving. Continue reading

Ford will be asking owners of certain 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car, and 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis to return their vehicles to their dealership to inspect a previous repair. According to the defect report, vehicles repaired under the previous safety recall 13V-385, may have been improperly serviced. As a result, the upper arm intermediate shaft could separate resulting in loss of steering control and an increased chance of an accident. Continue reading

Owners of certain 2013 Ford Escape sport utility vehicles are questioning whether their vehicles are lemons after receiving repeated recall notices and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Nine notices have been issued within the past year for assorted problems involving fluid leaks, overheating engines, and potential engine fires. The most recent problem involves certain 2013-2014 Ford C-Max, Escape, and Fusion vehicles as well as certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. Continue reading