Ford Motor Co. is recalling about 1.4 million of its Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans in North America amid concern that their steering wheels might come loose, leaving drivers unable to control the vehicles.
Two accidents, with one injury, have occurred because of the problem, the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker said. The recall involves 2014-17 model Fusions built at the company’s Flat Rock, Mich., plant from August 2013 to February 2016; and 2014-18 model Fusions and Lincoln MKZs built at the Hermosillo, Mexico, plant from July 2013 to March 2018.
About 1.3 million of the cars are in the United States, with 62,000 in Canada and 14,000 in Mexico, the company said. Dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt on the automobiles with a longer one whose threading connects more tightly and install a larger nylon patch to assure that the bolt remains secure over time, both at no charge to customers.
New CEO Jim Hackett is grappling with the safety concerns as sales of traditional sedans slide in the U.S., with buyers focusing on SUVs and trucks. Revenue from cars tumbled 14.2 percent in the U.S. last year, the company said, while sales of SUVs and trucks climbed 2.9 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively.
Automakers issued 813 safety recalls in the U.S. in 2017, affecting more than 30 million vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which monitors such issues. The agency didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Wednesday.
