Ford Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Edge, Escape, F-150, Lincoln MKZ Included In Massive Recall

This morning, Ford has issued four separate recalls affecting nearly 600,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in North America.

RECALL #1: 2013-15 Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ; 2015 Ford Edge
UNITS AFFECTED: 487,301 registered in the U.S., 31,012 registered in Canada

This is by far the largest of Ford's four recalls, and it's meant to address problems with bolts that hold the steering gear motor in place. (This sounds suspiciously similar to an issue that led to a recall of the 2014-2015 Smart fortwo last week, which was caused by a bad batch of bolts from Fontana Luigi S.p.A.)

Ford says that the bolts may corrode over time, causing them to fracture. According to a press release:

"If the steering gear motor bolts fracture, the steering system may default to manual steering mode, making the vehicle more difficult to steer, especially at lower speeds. This would not result in a loss of steering, but could result in an increased risk of a crash."

Ford says that it knows of no accidents or injuries related to the problem.

As with many corrosion-related recalls, this one is limited to vehicles either sold or registered in chillier areas, where de-icing salt are used on roads in winter. In the U.S., that means Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. In Canada the recall includes the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.

Furthermore, this particular recall is limited to certain dates of manufacture. Though Ford doesn't clarify production dates for older vehicles, trouble spots for 2015 models include:

• • Ford Fusion vehicles built between February 3, 2015 and March 19, 2015 at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant

  • Ford Fusion vehicles built between February 3, 2015 and March 13, 2015 at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant

  • Lincoln MKZ vehicles built between February 3, 2015 and March 20, 2015 at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant

  • Ford Edge vehicles built between February 26, 2015 and February 28, 2015 at the Oakville Assembly Plant

Ford says that after receiving a recall notice in the mail, owners can take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer, who will replace the steering gear motor attachment bolts, seal them, and replace any damaged steering gears at no charge.

Because this recall is so large and complex, we encourage you to contact Ford customer service at 800-392-3673 or Lincoln customer service at 800-521-4140 to confirm that your vehicle is (or isn't) affected.

ALSO SEE: The Lowest-Rated Cars Of 2015

RECALL #2: 2014 Ford Focus, Edge, Escape, Transit Connect; 2014-15 Ford Fiesta
UNITS AFFECTED:  45,505 in the U.S., 4,618 in Canada, 34 in Mexico

Though Ford doesn't offer supplier details in its press release, this recall appears to be an expansion of the Bosch fuel pump recall that's already affected vehicles from BMW, Nissan, and Volkswagen. The underlying problem is identical, involving "nickel plating on the fuel pump, which may cause it to seize. If the fuel pump seizes, a vehicle may not start or may stall while driving. An engine stall without warning while driving increases the risk of a crash."