The Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling nearly 1.4 million midsize cars in North America because the steering wheel can detach from the steering column and drivers could lose control.
The recall covers certain Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars from the 2014 through 2018 model years.
Ford says steering wheel bolts can loosen over time. The company says it knows of two crashes and one injury caused by the problem.
Dealers will replace the bolts with longer ones that have more aggressive threads and a nylon patch to stop them from coming loose.
Just over 1.3 million cars in the U.S. are being recalled. The rest are in Canada and Mexico.
Moreover, Ford is also issuing a safety recall in North America for approximately 6,000 2013-16 Ford Focus cars with 1.0-litre Fox GTDI engine and B6 manual transmission and 2013-15 Ford Fusion with 1.6-litre GTDI engine and B6 manual transmission vehicles for potential clutch plate fracture with risk of fire.
In affected vehicles, repeated high-energy clutch slip input made while a driver changes gears can lead to premature clutch lining wear, reducing the mechanical properties of pressure plate material. Repeated cyclic heating and cooling events may cause cracks around the outer edge of the pressure plate.
However, Ford is not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue. The recall involves approximately 5,872 vehicles in North America with 5,357 in the United States and 515 in Canada.
Ford shares gathered 50 cents, or 4.6%, to $11.28, within a 52-week trading range of $10.14 to $13.48.
