Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) announced on Friday, September 26th that it planned to recall 850,000 vehicles to address an electrical problem that could prevent the air bags and other safety systems from functioning correctly during an accident.
Friday’s recall includes the 2013-14 Ford Fusion, Escape and C-MAX as well as the Lincoln MKZ models. The problem is related to an issue with the restraints control module connected to the air bags. Including today’s recall, Ford’s popular Fusion sedan has now been involved in 12 separate recalls.
Of note, the vast majority of the recalled vehicles — more than 745,000 — were sold domestically, with 82,000 sold in Canada and 20,000 in Mexico.
While any large recall is a black mark for an automaker, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s recall problems are a drop in the bucket compared to the huge recall-related PR nightmare that GM has suffered through the last couple of years.
More on the Ford recall
Ford’s statement warns that in some of the vehicles, the control module can short circuit and trigger the air bag warning light. Moreover, depending on the location of the short circuit, the issue could prevent the air bags, side curtains or seat belt pretensioners from deploying properly during a crash.
The statement also notes the short circuit can impact the function of other systems that use data from the restraints control module, including the stability control braking system. If this occurs, the corresponding warning lights will also turn on.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem to date, and Ford dealers are replacing the restraints control module for free.
Detailed information on recalled Ford vehicles
The company provided detailed information on the vehicles involved in this recall. They include certain 2013-2014 C-MAX vehicles built at the Michigan Assembly Plant, Jan. 19, 2012, to Nov. 21, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Fusion vehicles built at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 3, 2012, to Aug. 24, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Escape vehicles built at the Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 5, 2011, to Nov. 1, 2013, and certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant, April 25, 2012, to Sept. 30, 2013.
