USA RECALL - Ford issues two separate recalls on the Focus, C-Max and the F-150

Ford Motor Company is issuing one safety recall and one safety compliance recall in North America. Details are as follows:

Ford issues safety recall for certain 2016 Ford Focus and C-MAX vehicles to inspect and repair left-hand body apron joints located on the floor pan

Ford is issuing a safety recall for 18 2016 Ford Focus and C-MAX vehicles to inspect and repair left-hand body apron joints located on the floor pan. In the affected vehicles, improper left-hand body apron joints may have reduced front-end structural integrity, potentially increasing the risk of injury in a frontal crash.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2016 Ford Focus vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Oct. 26, 2016 to Oct. 27, 2016 and 2016 Ford C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Oct. 26, 2016.

There are approximately 17 vehicles located in the United States and one in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 17S03.

Dealers will inspect and repair left-hand body apron joints as required at no cost to the customer.

Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles to reprogram instrument cluster display

Ford is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 8,000 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles to reprogram instrument cluster displays that may experience a loss of functionality immediately after startup in cold ambient temperatures.

In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate and display the selected transmission gear position. 

This may increase the risk of injury or crash from unintended vehicle movement. In addition, an inoperative instrument panel cluster display may prevent activation of certain warning chimes, messages and warning lights.

Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.

Affected vehicles include certain 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Assembly Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant, Oct. 4, 2016 to Nov. 23, 2016.

There are approximately 7,974 vehicles located in North America, including 6,792 in the United States and federalized territories, 1,057 in Canada and 125 in Mexico. The Ford reference number for this recall is 17C01.

Dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster display at no cost to the customer.

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 SALES AUGUST - FORD/LINCOLN group sales are down, but Lincoln does grow, with a new design language thats working.

• Lincoln sales increase 7 percent in August on gains from new Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln MKX with 9,243 sold; Lincoln retail sales up 10 percent
• Ford van sales total 20,355 vehicles for the month – best-ever August sales; Ford Transit sales gained 17 percent, with 11,993 vans sold
• Ford F-Series sales down 6 percent, with 66,946 trucks sold; August marks F-Series’ best retail month of the year
• Total U.S. company sales of 214,482 vehicles decline 8 percent; retail down 8 percent and fleet down 10 percent

Lincoln sales rose 7 percent in the U.S. in August versus a year ago with 9,243 vehicles sold, while Ford Motor Company vans reached best-ever August sales with 20,355 vehicles sold. Overall U.S. company sales totaled 214,482 vehicles, an 8 percent decline. 

Retail sales totaled 168,543 vehicles for the month – an 8 percent decrease. Fleet sales of 45,939 vehicles, including daily rental, commercial and government segments, were down 10 percent. 

Lincoln’s retail sales grew 10 percent, thanks to a 55 percent retail increase in Lincoln MKX sales and an 8 percent uptick in MKZ retail sales.

“Strong sales of high-end Lincoln vehicles and Ford SUVs also helped us continue outpacing the industry in average transaction pricing, which increased $1,200 versus a year ago,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Vans continue to be a bright spot for Ford – a consistent growth story for us this year.”

August’s record van sales were up 13 percent versus a year ago, driven largely by Ford Transit gaining 17 percent, with 11,993 vehicles sold.

Total truck sales were down 2 percent, with 88,372 vehicles sold. Ford F-Series sales of 66,946 trucks mark a 6 percent decline – and F-Series’ best retail month of the year. 

CHINA SALES - Ford posts growth numbers ranging from 6% to 15% dependant on it's joint ventures.

• Ford and its joint ventures sell 88,189 vehicles in July, up 15 percent
• Changan Ford Automobile sells 69,074 vehicles, up 20 percent
• Jiangling Motor Corporation sells 17,748 vehicles, up 6 percent

Ford and its joint ventures in China continued their strong sales performance with 88,189 vehicles sold in July, up 15 percent compared to July 2015. Year-to-date sales for Ford, Changan Ford (CAF) and Jiangling Motor Corporation (JMC) total 652,836 vehicles, up 6 percent compared to the same time last year.

July sales for CAF, Ford's passenger car joint venture, reached 69,074 vehicles, up 20 percent compared to July 2015. Year-to-date sales for CAF accelerated past the half million mark with 503,719 vehicles sold, up 11 percent compared to last year.

CAF’s strong performance was led by the Ford Escort, which saw July sales up 82 percent, and the new Ford Focus, with monthly sales up 13 percent.

JMC, Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, sold 17,748 vehicles in July, up 6 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales total 139,262 vehicles, down 5 percent.

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 SALES JULY - Ford/Lincoln prove yet again they are the biggest and best company with growing sales and #1 spots.

• Ford sold 87,104 trucks and vans in July – up 5 percent versus a year ago
• Ford vans up 26 percent, led by Transit; Ford F-Series sales total 65,657 pickups – down 1 percent
• Lincoln posts retail gain of 2 percent with gains from new Lincoln MKZ and Lincoln MKX
• Total U.S. company sales were 216,479, down 3 percent, with fleet up 6 percent and retail down 6 percent

Ford Motor Company’s total truck sales, including pickups and vans, grew 5 percent in July versus a year ago with 87,104 sold. Overall company U.S. sales were down 3 percent, with 216,479 total vehicles sold. 

Fleet sales – sales to large companies, government customers and rental car companies – were up 6 percent, with 55,321 sold. Retail sales were down 6 percent, with 161,158 sold. 

Van sales reached their best July sales since 1978, with 20,236 sold, driven largely by Transit with a 41 percent gain. F-Series pickups posted a 1 percent decline, with 65,657 sold.

“Trucks and vans continue to be market strengths for Ford,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Van customers rewarded us with another strong year-over-year gain, and F-Series had its best retail sales this year.”

Ford’s overall transaction pricing also grew $1,600 in July versus a year ago – more than double the industry average – driven by the continued higher mix shift to trucks and SUVs.

On the success of its newest products, Lincoln retail sales rose 2 percent in July. Lincoln MKZ sales were up 12 percent, while Lincoln MKX was up 5 percent.

CHINA - Ford grows by 6% over last year with the joint ventures, Lincoln and Ford all showing gains.

• Ford Motor Company first half sales in China total 577,097 vehicles, up 6 percent
• Changan Ford Automobile first half sales total 434,645 vehicles, up 10 percent; 64,377 vehicles sold in June, up 4 percent
• Jiangling Motor Corporation first half sales total 121,514 vehicles, down 7 percent; 19,351 vehicles sold in June, up 5 percent 
• Lincoln first half sales in China total 12,450 vehicles, an almost three-fold increase and exceeding 2015 full-year sales

Ford Motor Company continued its strong performance in China with vehicle sales in the first half for Ford, Lincoln and its joint ventures reaching 577,097 vehicles, a 6 percent increase compared to the same time last year.

Vehicle sales for Ford and its joint ventures in the first half were up 5 percent over last year to 564,647, with June accounting for 85,105 units sold. June results were 3 percent higher than June 2015.

“We continue to see solid growth in China during the first half,” said Dave Schoch, Ford Motor Company group vice president and president of Asia Pacific. “Even as the pace of growth slows and the market matures, customers continue to respond well to our products, particularly our world-class SUV lineup.”

Demand for Ford and Lincoln sport utility vehicles (SUVs) continues to be high in the first half of 2016, with combined sales of the Ford EcoSport, Kuga, Edge, Everest and Explorer and Lincoln MKC, MKX and Navigator surpassing 150,000 vehicles, a 27 percent increase over 2015.

The Ford Edge saw sales surpass the 50,000 mark during the first half. First half sales for the Ford Explorer increased nearly 50 percent over last year to 6,884. 

First half sales for Changan Ford Automobile (CAF), Ford's passenger car joint venture, reached 434,645 vehicles, a 10 percent increase compared to last year. In June, CAF sold 64,377 vehicles, up 4 percent compared to June 2015.

Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford's commercial vehicle investment in China, sold 19,351 vehicles in June, an increase of 5 percent compared to last year. First-half sales totaled 121,514 vehicles, down 7 percent.

Lincoln continues to see strong growth in China with 12,450 vehicles sold in the first half of 2016, an almost three-fold increase compared to last year. With this, the luxury brand already has exceeded last year’s full-year sales of 11,630.