Ford Recalls 441K Vehicles Over Engine Fires, Doors That Won't Close

Ford is calling back a total of about 441,000 vehicles in three separate recall actions.

The first and largest recall affects the 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2015 Transit Connect and 2013-2014 Fusion equipped with the 1.6-liter GTDI engines, otherwise known as the 1.6-liter EcoBoost. A total of 230,756 units are affected in North America.

Ford claims that lack of coolant circulation can lead to overheating, causing cracked cylinder heads that can leak oil. If this happens, a fire risk is created. So far, Ford has 29 reports of fires in these vehicles.

Ford says that customers can still drive their vehicles, though the company is mailing each customer instructions from the owner’s manual on how to check and refill coolant. If a vehicle has a coolant leak or overheats frequently, then customers should see their dealer right away. To fix the issue, dealers will install service kits which include a coolant level sensor with supporting hardware and software.

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The second recall is an expansion of an existing call back to 211,000 more vehicles over an issue with door latches.

The 2013 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2014-2014 Lincoln MKZ are affected. In these vehicles, the pawl spring tab in the side door latch can brake, leading to the door not being able to close properly. To fix this issue, dealers will replace all four of the side door latches.

Finally, 548 units of the 2017 Ford F-450 and F-550 are being recalled to replace the driveshaft. Driving at speeds over 75 mph can result in a resonance frequency that can facture the transmission along with driveline components. The replaced driveshaft is said to fix the issue.

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