Ford is calling back approximately 160,000 Escape crossovers and Focus ST cars, model years 2013 and 2014, for a wiring issue with the vehicle's powertrain control module that could cause the vehicles to lose power and stall.
The recall only applies to 2013 and 2014 model year Ford Escapes and Focus ST cars that were built using the automaker's 2.0-liter engines.
So far, no crashes have been attributed to the wiring issue in the subject vehicles, Ford stated. Authorized Ford dealers will deliver free fixes for the wiring issue in the recalled vehicles, according to Ford.
The majority of the recalled vehicles, 133,000, were shipped to the U.S., while the remaining vehicles were sent to Canada and Mexico. The recall for the wiring issue was said to mark the eleventh time the 2013 Ford Escape has been called back to address defects.
The recall of the 2.0-liter Focus ST and Escape vehicles comes hot on the heels of another Ford recall campaign, in which the automaker called back 83,250 automobiles.
Ford recalled, on Aug. 14, the 2012 through 2014 Lincoln MKX; 2013 and 2014 Ford Flex; 2013 and 2014 Lincoln MKT; 2013 and 2014 Ford Taurus; and the 2013 and 2014 Lincoln MKS.
The faulty installation of axle clips can lead to the disengagement of the linkshaft in the recalled vehicles, causing a disruption in power transmission to the wheels. The recalled vehicles could also slip out of "park" when the emergency brakes aren't applied, the automaker said.
Ford said it had no knowledge of any crashes related to the axle clip issue and stated it will begin delivering free fixes for the problem sometime around the end of August 2014.
Back in mid-July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it was probing approximately 500,000 Ford sedans for a potential problem with the vehicles' steering mechanism. The NHTSA said it was following up on evidence that heat shields in the subject vehicles could obstruct steering shafts, causing steering to tighten up.
While Ford and the rest of the U.S. auto industry have been plagued with a seemingly unending list of defects, the industry had a solid July 2014. Ford's sales were up by 9.6 percent, year-over-year, as the automaker moved 212,236 vehicles during the month.
Ford ranked third in terms of sales during July 2014, with Toyota's 215,802 vehicles sold placing it in second and General Motors topping the rankings with 256,160 automobiles delivered. While Chrysler held fourth place with 167,667 moved in July, the automaker enjoyed the biggest year-to-year gains with 19.7 percent upswing.
