Ford recalls 591,000 vehicles for power steering , fuel pumps

New F-150, Edge among recall list

Ford Motor Co. launched four recalls covering 591,000 vehicles in North America, including the first on the redesigned F-150 and Edge and the ninth on the 2014 Escape.

The largest of the four affects 518,313 vehicles: the 2013-15 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ and the 2015 Edge. It’s limited to Northern states where road salt could corrode bolts attaching the steering-gear motor.

If the bolts crack, the steering system could default to manual mode, making the vehicle harder to control, particularly at low speeds, Ford said. The other three recalls are much smaller.

One covers just 91 of the 2015 F-150s built over two days in January at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant. On those trucks, Ford said, the underbody heat shield may be improperly installed or missing, increasing the risk of fire.

Another recall relates to a potential for fuel-pump seizures on 50,157 cars: the 2014 Focus, Edge, Escape and Transit Connect and the 2014-15 Fiesta.

An issue with the nickel plating on the fuel pump could prevent the vehicles from starting or make them stall while driving, Ford said. The company said it knows of one accident that may be related, but no injuries.

There are no accidents or injuries linked to the other three recalls, Ford said. Ford also is recalling 22,616 MKZs from the 2015 model year because the park lamps are brighter than regulations allow, potentially affecting the vision of oncoming drivers.

The bolt-corrosion recall covers vehicles sold in or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. Seven Canadian provinces also are included.

Ford said customers in other states and provinces will receive coverage for the issue through an extended warranty if it occurs.

The repair involves replacing and sealing the bolts and any damaged steering gears. It’s the second time this week that Ford has recalled the 2013-14 Fusion and MKZ. On Monday, Ford said a latch issue could prevent the doors from closing or allow them to fly open while the vehicle is moving.