Ford is issuing four new recalls, the largest of which includes 160,000 Focus STs and Escapes.
The ST and Escape recalls are related to problems with faulty wiring harnesses, causing the vehicles to potentially stall.
The recall covers 159,395 Escapes and Focus ST hatchbacks, made between 2013 and 2014, including turbocharged 2.0-liter engines. Around 133,000 of the recalled vehicles are from the U.S., with 25,400 coming from Canada and 789 from Mexico.
Ford also recalled 1,300 Transits, 2015 models, due to a brake fluid leak, which could eventually trigger the red brake-warning lamp, and could also cause prolonged stopping distances. Some 600 Ford Transit cargo vans, 2105 models, were recalled due to a problem with windowless sliding doors that could come unlatched during side-impact crashes. Lastly, 1,300 2015 Lincoln MKC crossovers were recalled because they may have windshields that do not meet federal requirements that do not allow for bubbles or other small defects.
The wiring harness that is included in Ford Focus ST's and Escapes could have "splices that were insufficiently compressed during the supplier manufacturing process," says Ford, which means that incorrect signals could be sent to the powertrain control module, resulting in stalling, reduced engine power, and problems with the engine-malfunction light.
This is not the first recall affecting Escapes. In fact, Ford has recalled the current generation of Escapes a total of 11 times. In previous recalls, problems have been addressed that include fluid leaks that could cause a fire, doors that can open while the car is moving and airbags that may not deploy quickly enough.
According to a Ford spokesperson, no Focus has been affected by all 11 recalls.
No injuries or accidents have taken place because of the issue with the wiring harness.
While the Focus has been recalled an almost record-breaking number of times since the car was redesigned in 2013, this does not seem to have affected U.S. sales, with it being the second-most-popular crossover vehicle, coming in behind only the Honda CR-V.
The Focus was also Ford's third-best selling vehicle in the U.S. during the first seven months of the year, with sales of 179,448 units in total, which is slightly more than the same period last year, albeit less than a percent point.
Ford will contact all owners of affected vehicles. Dealers have been instructed to replace the wiring harness in the vehicles.
