Ford is recalling several thousand F-150s due to problems with airbag sensors. The company recalled 200,000 vehicles yesterday.
Ford is recalling more than 200,000 mostly late-model vehicles in five separate actions ranging from airbag issues to steering shaft problems. Some of the vehicles are being recalled for a second time.
The current crop of recalls means the U.S. total for recalls is over the 52 million mark, easily surpassing the previous record of 30.1 million in 2004.
The biggest recall involves 135,000 2014 F-150 full-size pickups and Ford Flex crossovers due to a faulty passenger seat weight sensor. The defective sensor can, in some cases, prevent the airbag from inflating during crashes.
The repair involves widening the gap between the seat frame and the seat track. The dealer then recalibrates the sensor. Some 2009-2014 F-150s are being lumped in on the recall simply to repair the seat track. They were recalled earlier this year for the same problem.
The company recalled about 38,600 Ford Crown Victorias, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars built between 2005 and 2011 for the second time for problems with the steering shafts. The shafts can separate causing a loss a steering control. Some of the earlier repairs were done incorrectly so they’re being recalled again.
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The current plan calls for dealers to inspect the upper intermediate steering shaft and replace it if necessary. They will also examine the lower steering column bearings and, if needed, install bearing retainers.
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Ford is taking back 27,600 2014 Transit Connect small vans due to possible fuel line leaks. The van’s fuel and vapor lines may have been installed incorrectly, which would cause them to rub creating the leak. Additionally, 90 large 2015 Transit vans with 3.2-liter diesels need to have their underbody structure reinforced to prevent the bracket that holds the fuel filter from coming loose and causing the engine to stall.
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The last of the recalls is for 960 F-150 pickups from 204 with a brake pedal position switch that is set incorrectly. If so, the brake lights may not light up properly and cause the cruise control to remain on longer despite the driver depressing the pedal. Dealers are reinstalling the switches.