Nearly 1.4M Ford, Lincoln cars recalled; steering wheel can come loose

DETROIT (AP) — 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. A crack in the clutch pressure plate could cause flammable transmission fluid to leak, but Ford says it isn't aware of any fires or injuries stemming from the issue. Related Harley-Davidson recalls motorcycles with braking problem

The recall applies to every version of the Fusion:

--Fusion S

--Fusion SE

--Hybrid S

--Hybrid SE

--Hybrid Titanium

--Energi SE

--Energi Titanium

--Fusion Sport

--Fusion Platinum

--Fusion Hybrid Platinum

--Fusion Energi Platinum

The recall also applies to every version of the Lincoln MKZ:

--Lincoln MKZ Premier

--Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Premier

--Lincoln MKZ Black Label

The company recalled another 6,000 Fusion and Focus models due to a risk of fire from a fracture in the clutch pressure plate:

--Ford Focus model years 2013-16 with the Fox GTDI engine and B6 manual transmissions. According to Ford, the recall stems from “potentially loose steering wheel bolts that could result in a steering wheel detaching from the steering column.”

Ford added that if the flaw is not corrected the wheel may come off while someone is driving and “lead to a loss of steering control and increased risk of a crash.”

The auto maker says the steering wheel issue affects 2014-17 Ford Fusions made at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan from Aug. 6, 2013 to Feb. 29, 2016. The Ford Motor Company might be ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating Apple’s Siri into its cars, but the automaker tasking itself with building a fully robotic car by 2021 has a major problem on its hands.
Ford issues a recall of 1.4 million vehicles, including some models of the Ford Fusion and the Lincoln MKZ, citing an issue where the steering wheel could come loose.