USA RECALL #1 - Ford recalls over 2 million units for possible door latch component breakage, with a false door closed reading.

RECALL Subject : Doors may Unexpectedly Open , 1 INVESTIGATION(S)

Report Receipt Date: SEP 06, 2016

NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V643000

Component(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Potential Number of Units Affected: 2,046,297 

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

SUMMARY:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Ford Focus, 2013-2015 Ford Escape and Ford C-MAX, 2015 Lincoln MKC and Ford Mustang, and 2014-2016 Ford Transit Connect vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, preventing the doors from latching and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

CONSEQUENCE:

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

REMEDY:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Due to a limited parts supply, each owner will be sent an interim notification beginning October 3, 2016 and will receive a second notice when parts are available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S30.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov

USA RECALL - Ford/Lincoln recalls nearly 900,000 units to replace side door latches.

Ford Motor Company is issuing a regional safety recall in North America for approximately 830,000 2013-15 Ford C-MAX, 2013-15 Ford Escape, 2012-15 Ford Focus, 2015 Ford Mustang and Lincoln MKC, and 2014-16 Ford Transit Connect vehicles sold or ever registered in certain states to replace side door latches.

In the affected vehicles, the pawl spring tab in the side door latch could break. This condition typically will prevent the door from latching. In certain situations where the door is able to be closed, the door may unlatch while driving, increasing the risk of injury.

Because the rate of reports is higher for vehicles in states with higher ambient temperatures and solar loading, this recall is focused primarily in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Oregon and Washington.

Ford has identified one reported accident and one reported injury that may be related to this issue.

Affected vehicles include those built:

• 2013-15 C-MAX – Michigan Assembly Plant, April 19, 2012 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2013-15 Escape – Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 19, 2011 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2012-15 Focus – Michigan Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2010 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2015 Lincoln MKC – Louisville Assembly Plant, Dec. 4, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2015
• 2015 Mustang – Flat Rock Assembly Plant, May 28, 2014 to April 30, 2015
• 2014-16 Transit Connect – Valencia Assembly Plant, Aug. 9, 2013 to Feb. 1, 2016

The approximately 828,053 vehicles affected include 766,682 in the United States and federalized territories and 61,371 in Mexico.

Dealers will replace side door latches at no cost to the customer. In addition, Ford will launch a corresponding customer satisfaction program for vehicles outside the scope of this recall. If a vehicle exhibits a broken door latch, Ford will provide a one-time replacement at no charge for the life of the vehicle.

USA - Ford has issued FOUR separate recalls covering a number of makes and models, tut tut.

Ford Motor Company is issuing four safety recalls in North America. One accident and no injuries are attributed to these conditions. Full details of each model, from Ford and Lincoln are detailed, and the model years and issues are too detailed.

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America for park lamp issue

Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 22,600 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America (actual 22,616)the headlamps are on, the park lamps are brighter than regulations allow, and may adversely affect the vision of oncoming drivers.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain Lincoln MKZ vehicles built Feb. 17, 2014 to March 19, 2015 at Hermosillo Assembly Plant.

There are 21,435 vehicles in the United States, 1,066 in Canada and 115 in Mexico.

Dealers will update the body control module software, which controls the intensity of the park lamps, at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety recall for approximately 100 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles in North America for potential underbody heat shield issue

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 100 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles in North America (actual 91) for a potential issue with certain underbody heat shields that may be improperly installed or missing, increasing the risk of fire.

Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires related to this condition.

Affected vehicles were built Jan. 30, 2015 to Jan. 31, 2015 at Dearborn Truck Plant. There are 73 vehicles in the United States and 18 in Canada.

Dealers will inspect for missing underbody heat shields and fasteners and install missing components as needed. This will be done at no cost to Ford customers.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2014 Ford Focus, Edge, Escape and Transit Connect vehicles and 2014-15 Ford Fiesta vehicles in North America for fuel pump issue

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 50,000 2014 Ford Focus, Edge, Escape and Transit Connect vehicles and 2014-15 Ford Fiesta vehicles in North America (actual 50,157) for an issue with the 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.

Ford is aware of one allegation of an accident that may be related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain Ford Focus vehicles built October 26, 2013 – May 22, 2014 at Michigan Assembly Plant; certain Ford Edge vehicles built April 30, 2014 to May 21, 2014 at Oakville Assembly Plant; certain Ford Escape vehicles built Feb. 14, 2014 to March 7, 2014 at Louisville Assembly Plant; certain Ford Transit Connect vehicles built Nov. 11, 2013 to Aug. 29, 2014 at Valencia Assembly Plant; and certain Ford Fiesta vehicles built April 10, 2014 to June 17, 2014 at Cuautitlán Assembly Plant.

There are 45,505 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 4,618 in Canada and 34 in Mexico.

Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2013-15 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles and 2015 Ford Edge vehicles in North America for steering gear motor attachment issue

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 520,000 2013-15 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles and certain 2015 Ford Edge vehicles in corrosion states and provinces in North America (actual 518,313) for steering gear motor attachment bolts that may fracture due to corrosion cracking. 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 is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain Ford Fusion vehicles built Feb. 3, 2015 to March 19, 2015 at Hermosillo Assembly Plant; certain Ford Fusion vehicles built Feb. 3, 2015 to March 13, 2015 at Flat Rock Assembly Plant; certain Lincoln MKZ vehicles built Feb. 3, 2015 to March 20, 2015 at Hermosillo Assembly Plant; and certain Ford Edge vehicles built Feb. 26, 2015 to Feb. 28, 2015 at Oakville Assembly Plant.

There are 487,301 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories and 31,012 in Canada.

Vehicles included in this recall were either originally sold in, or are currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, 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. Also included are the Canadian corrosion provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 

Customers located in non-corrosion states or provinces will be covered by extended warranty if they experience similar concerns.

Dealers will replace steering gear motor attachment bolts on customer vehicles with new bolts, seal them, and replace damaged steering gears at no cost to the customer.

Ford invests $2.3 Billion in Spanish plant to increase production by 40%

• Ford Motor Company invests €2.3 billion since 2011 in Valencia, Spain, manufacturing operation; largest ever investment in Spain’s auto industry

• Vehicle production in Valencia will increase 40 per cent to around 400,000 units in 2015; new high-tech bodyshop raises daily production capacity to 2,000 vehicles

• With six nameplates in 2015, even more bodystyles, and the capacity to manufacture up to 450,000 vehicles a year, Valencia is one of Ford’s largest and most flexible plants worldwide
• Ford Valencia operations now employ 8,000 people, up from just below 5,000 in early 2013;  supplier operations supporting Valencia production have increased employment by 1,500 jobs since 2013

• Valencia plant currently builds Mondeo wagon, five-door, and four-door including Mondeo Hybrid, Kuga SUV, Transit Connect light commercial vehicle and Tourneo Connect people-mover; all-new S-MAX multi-activity vehicle, Galaxy seven-seat people-mover and Vignale Mondeo go into production later this year

• Valencia is one of Spain’s top automotive exporters, with 80 per cent of its production to 75 countries worldwide, including North America

Ford Motor Company today announced it is completing the final part of a €2.3 billion investment in its Valencia, Spain, manufacturing operations, transforming it into one of the world’s most advanced, flexible and productive auto plants.

The investment by Ford is the largest in the history of Spanish auto industry and will allow the Valencia plant to increase vehicle production by 40 per cent this year to about 400,000 vehicles, and will have the capacity to potentially build up to 450,000 vehicles a year.

Valencia also is today one of Spain’s top automotive exporters, with 80 per cent of its production being exported worldwide.

Ford now employs about 8,000 people at the facility, up from just below 5,000 in early 2013. Supplier operations supporting Valencia production also have added 1,500 jobs since 2013.

“This world-class facility will help Ford’s accelerate its growth in Europe and around the world,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and chief executive officer. 

“Valencia is not only a major hub of production – building vehicles and engines exported to 75 countries worldwide – but also a centre of innovation employing some of the industry’s most advanced lean, flexible and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.”

In 2015, Valencia will build six Ford nameplates and even more body styles. The plant currently builds the all-new Mondeo wagon, five-door, and four-door including the Mondeo Hybrid, Kuga SUV, Transit Connect light commercial vehicle and Tourneo Connect people-mover. The all-new S-MAX multi-activity vehicle, Galaxy seven-seat people-mover and the Vignale Mondeo go into production later this year.

The investment consisted of an initial €1.1 billion announced in 2011, followed by a further €1.2 billion since 2013. Valencia will be the sole European production source for all six Ford nameplates assembled at the plant.  

Flexible, modern and efficient

The Ford Valencia facility has produced more than 11 million vehicles and 15 million engines since production started in 1976. The plant was officially opened by King Juan Carlos and Henry Ford II helping Spain emerge from decades of isolation from the global economic stage.

Almost 40 years later, the plant is at the forefront of Ford’s plan to accelerate the pace of the progress on its One Ford plan, deliver product excellence and incorporate innovation into every part of the business.

A new 89,000 m2 bodyshop constructed over nearly eight months raises the plant’s vehicle production capability to about 2,000 units per day. For production of Mondeo and Mondeo Hybrid, the plant was retooled to deliver an industry-first application of hydro-formed high strength steel.

Ford has constructed an additional paint shop, installing automated paint processes that remove the need for paint-drying between application stages, and dirt detection technology. This improves quality while delivering energy and productivity savings.

New assembly line processes make Valencia among Ford’s most efficient facilities, essential to managing the increased complexity of producing more models and derivatives than any Ford facility in Europe. For example, in line with the global Ford Production System, all production components are now transported alongside the vehicle in a pre-assembled kit, saving time and effort.

Since 2011 more than 900 new robots have been installed in the Valencia bodyshops, and 34 in the final assembly areas to help deliver the highest quality standards. Nearly 600 highly skilled engineers are involved in supporting the high-tech production processes in Valencia.

“Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy will grow the number of parts we manage from 7,000 to 18,000, requiring some fresh and innovative solutions,” said Tony Ades, operations manager, Valencia. 

“Strong relationships with unions and local government have been essential to developing a flexible facility that can respond quickly and efficiently to changes in demand for our vehicles, with a highly trained and motivated workforce able to operate across our assembly lines.”

Last year, the plant contributed to Ford’s sustainability goals by recycling 3,850 tonnes of wood, paper and cardboard, and by improving its efficiency in water and electricity consumption per car by three per cent. 

Vignale Center

Valencia will in 2015 also complete a new Vignale Center, a specially-created department dedicated to ensuring exacting levels of quality and fulfilling customer expectations of Ford’s new upscale Vignale product and ownership experience.

Vignale debuts this year with the Ford Vignale Mondeo, and each vehicle will pass through an additional sign-off process where trained experts will assess criteria including paint finish and panel alignment assisted by the latest laser and camera technology.

“Ford is the engine behind automotive industry growth in Spain,” said Jose Machado, chairman, Ford of Spain. “The combination of innovative product, forward-looking investment, strong local relationships, and hardworking, flexible employees will continue to deliver meaningful progress in improving our overall business in Europe.”

USA - RECALLS - FORD - Two recalls from Ford for over 210,000 vehicles, its started already.

Ford is issuing two safety recalls. No accidents or injuries are attributed to either of these conditions. Details are as follows:

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2010-2013 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Ford Police Interceptor sedans for interior door handle issue

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 205,000 2010-2013 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Ford Police Interceptor sedans due to an issue with the spring that controls the interior door handles. If the spring is unseated, the door may become unlatched in a side-impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles built Dec. 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010 and Feb. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2012 at Chicago Assembly Plant; certain 2010-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles built June 2, 2011 to Oct. 31, 2011 at Chicago Assembly Plant; and certain 2010-2013 Ford Police Interceptor sedans built Dec. 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010 and Feb. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2012 at Chicago Assembly Plant.

Ford is aware of 204,945 vehicles in North America, including 194,889 in the United States and federalized territories, 9,948 in Canada and 108 in Mexico.

Dealers will inspect all four interior door handle assemblies and repair or replace the handles as necessary. This will be done at no cost to customers.

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for safety belt fastener torque issue

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 16,100 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for a potential issue with safety belt fasteners that may not have been tightened properly. Safety belt fasteners that do not meet installation torque specifications may loosen over time, which may cause them not to function as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2014 Ford Transit Connect vans built Nov. 6, 2013 to Sept. 20, 2014 at Valencia Assembly Plant. All 16,091 vehicles are located in the United States.

Dealers will replace and properly tighten the safety belt fasteners. This will be done at no cost to customers. Dealers will also replace and properly torque the cargo tie-downs in the cargo area.