Driven a Ford lately? You may have to bring it back to the dealer, due to a recall of 83,250 Ford cars and crossover SUVs that may lose power unexpectedly, or slip out of park without driver intervention.
Ford will notify owners and begin accepting vehicles for free repair by the end of August. There are no reports of accidents or injuries relating to this recall.
Recalled models include the 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX SUVs, made between Sept. 2, 2010, and Nov. 30, 2013; the 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS SUVs, made between Sept. 12, 2011, and Nov. 30, 2013; and the 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans, made between Aug. 25, 2011, and Nov. 30, 2013. The recall order includes used vehicles or inventory still on dealer lots.
Each of these vehicles is faced with a problem whereby the right-hand halfshaft retention circlip may not have been fully seated during installation, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward, causing noise, vibration and harness and possible disengagement from the linkshaft while driving, without warning.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "if the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders."
Ford dealers are required to inspect the vehicles to ensure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If repairs are needed, dealers will replace the linkshaft and the halfshaft if it shows signs of spline damage.
In other recall news, Volkswagen has recalled 151,389 Tiguan compact SUVs, model years 2009 through 2014, manufactured in July 2007 through June 2014. The small SUV is a comparatively low-volume competitor to the Honda CRV and Nissan Rogue. Its first model year available for sale in the U.S. was 2009. The scope of the recall essentially includes every Tiguan sold in the U.S. since its introduction, through the present.
According to NHTSA, when using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system, which could result in the vehicle stalling. Most of these stalls tend to occur when the vehicle is backing up or when it is put in motion from a stop.
Dealers will be required to update the vehicle's software to increase fuel pump pressure at no charge to the customer.
