The second largest U.S. automaker Ford (F, Financial) is recalling 1.4 million vehicles in North America due to the danger of steering wheels disengaging from the steering columna, creating a risk of drivers losing control. According to the terms of the recall, the company would replace the bolts of affected cars with longer bolts that would prevent them from becoming loose.
Ford said that the recall includes Fusion and Lincoln MKC from 2014 to 2018 model years.
Backdrop
Five years back, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an investigation regarding steering wheels becoming loose from Fusion models of 2014 to 2016. The agency began their investigation as soon as they received three complaints, one of which came from a driver in Georgia who said that the steering wheels of Fusion 2015 model fell on his lap while he was driving.
The other two people complained that the bolt that connected the wheel to the steering column had become loose while driving. However, the agency didn’t receive any report of crashes or injuries.
Bird’s eye view
Besides Ford, Hyundai recalled 43,900 vehicles as there was a danger of the steering wheel also breaking away from the steering column. In this recall category, 2018 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport SUVs were included.
Additionally, the Blue Oval is recalling 6,000 vehicles for a defect in the clutch plate that can cause fire. This time, though, the vehicles that are part of the second recall are Ford Focus models of 2013-16 with 1.0-liter Fox GTDI engines and B6 manual transmissions and Fusion models of 2013-15 with 1.6-liter Sigma GTDI engines and B6 manual transmissions. The company commented:
“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.” It further added: “Torque capacity reduction due to clutch lining wear can cause excessive slip, introducing a large amount of energy and heat into the pressure plate. Structural failure or fracture of the pressure plate eventually may occur. Leaking transmission fluid near an ignition source can lead to the risk of an engine compartment fire.”
Here, the dealers would add some software technology that will spot and prevent a clutch slip. Customers will be availed with new clutch assembly in their Fusion free of cost.
Disclosure: I do not hold any position in the stock mentioned in this article.
