By Andrew Young-
Ford has announced a recall of 1,4 million vehicles because the steering wheels can become loose and even come off while driving.
The affected models are the Ford Fusion and the Lincoln MKZ, both of which model years 2014-2018.
The recall comes as Ford has been put under pressurefrom U.S. regulators, Ford is recalling nearly 1.4 million midsize cars in North America because the steering wheels can detach from the steering column and drivers could lose control.
The recall covers certain Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars from the 2014 through 2018 model years. The reason for the recall steering wheel bolts can loosen over time. The company says it knows of two crashes and one injury caused by the problem.
Safety agency began the probe after receiving three complaints, including one from a driver from Georgia who reported that the steering wheel in a 2015 Fusion fell into their lap when turning into a gas station.
Two others reported incidences in whichthe bolt attaching the wheel to the steering column came loose while driving and had to be retightened at a repair shop.
Ford said the problem is that a steering wheel bolt could come loose, which and use the steering wheel to potentially detach.
The company has also announced a recall of another 6,000 vehicles due to a risk of fire from a clutch pressure plate fracture. But all those recalled cars are manual transmission cars, which are not commonly sold. The affected models are 2013-16 Ford Focuses and 2013-15 Ford Fusions.
Dealers will replace the bolts with longer ones that have more aggressive threads and a nylon patch to stop them from coming loose.
Owners will be notified by mail the week of April 30, and parts are expected to be available by then.
Just over 1.3 million cars in the U.S. are being recalled, with the rest in Canada and Mexico.
The recall comes about five months after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into steering wheels falling off of Fusions from the 2014 through 2016 model years.
Under pressure from U.S. regulators, Ford is recalling nearly 1.4 million midsize cars in North America because the steering wheels can detach from the steering column and drivers could lose control.
The recall covers certain Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars from the 2014 through 2018 model years.
Ford says steering wheel bolts can loosen over time. The company says it knows of two crashes and one injury caused by the problem.
