Over 285,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in North America are part of four new recalls announced today by the automaker. These are directly related to at least four accidents and one injury.
First of all, approximately 201,900 2011-2012 Ford F-150 and 2012 Ford Expedition, Ford Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles (including 17,900 in Canada) may have an issue with the output speed sensor on the 6R80 transmission lead frame. Under certain conditions, the transmission controls could force a temporary downshift into first gear. Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time of the downshift, the driver could experience an abrupt speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up.
Ford is aware of three reports of accidents. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, which will eliminate the downshift into first gear if an OSS fault occurs.
A second recall targets 81,036 units including 4,615 in Canada ― namely 2014-2015 Ford Explorer and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles. In some cases, it is possible that the left and right rear suspension toe links could fracture due to poor weld quality. This condition could result in rear suspension noise, difficulty steering or loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and align the rear suspension at no cost to the customer.
Also, some tires could have been damaged from a conveyor during assembly of 2,600 Ford F-Series trucks including 271 in Canada. Dealers will inspect and replace them if necessary.
Finally, 199 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, and Mercury Sable vehicles from 2007-2012 will require their driver airbag module to be replaced because the chemical enhancer for the second-stage airbag deployment could be missing from the module, which may increase the risk of an injury in a crash.