Ford Recalls 850,000 Vehicles for Air Bag Problem
Ford is recalling 850,000 vehicles to address an electrical problem that could prevent the air bags and other safety systems from working properly in a crash, reported Detroit Free Press.
The recall involves the 2013-14 Ford Fusion, Escape and C-MAX as well as the Lincoln MKZ for an issue with the restraints control module connected to air bags.
Most of the affected vehicles — 745,000 — were sold in the U.S. with 82,000 in Canada and 20,000 in Mexico.
In some of them, the control module can short circuit and trigger the air bag warning light. Depending on the location of the short circuit, it could prevent the air bags, side curtains or seat belt pretensioners from deploying in a crash.
The short circuit may also affect the function of other systems that use data from the restraints control module, including stability control. In these cases, the corresponding warning lights would also come on.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem and dealers will replace the restraints control module at no cost to the customer.
Affected vehicles include certain 2013-2014 C-MAX vehicles built at the Michigan Assembly Plant, Jan. 19, 2012, to Nov. 21, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Fusion vehicles built at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 3, 2012, to Aug. 24, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Escape vehicles built at the Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 5, 2011, to Nov. 1, 2013, and certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant, April 25, 2012, to Sept. 30, 2013
This is the 12th recall for the Escape.
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