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On Wednesday, Ford Motor said it is recalling 1.38 million vehicles in North America for potentially loose steering wheel bolts that could detach, in an issue linked to two accidents and one injury.
The second largest U.S. automaker said the recall covers 2014 through 2018 model year Ford Fusion cars and 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at plants in Flat Rock , Michigan , United States and Hermosillo , Sonora , Mexico .
“In affected vehicles, repeated high-energy clutch slip input made while a driver changes gears can lead to premature clutch lining wear, reducing the mechanical properties of pressure plate material. Repeated cyclic heating and cooling events may cause cracks around the outer edge of the pressure plate,” Ford disclosed in a statement .
According to the statement, dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt with more robust thread engagement and larger nylon patch placed properly for proper torque retention— at no cost to customers.
Overall, the recall involves approximately 1,378,637 vehicles in North America with 1,301,986 in the United States , 62,479 in Canada , and 14,172 in Mexico .
Ford said it was also recalling nearly 6,000 2013-2015 Ford Fusion cars in North America with certain engines for clutch pressure plate fracture to address the risk of fire.
The company said repeated high-energy clutch slip input, made during gear changes, could lead to premature clutch lining wear; that, in turn, reduces the mechanical properties of pressure plate material, which could spur a leak of transmission fluid and result in a fire. Ford said it was not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Dealers will update Focus vehicles with software that will detect and prevent prolonged clutch slip and will evaluate the clutch for wear and replace as needed— at no cost to customers as well.
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