Ford recalling 850,000 cars and SUVs for airbag issues

Fri, 26 Sep 2014

Ford has announced a major recall of 850,000 vehicles from model years 2013 and 2014 due to a problem with the "restraints control module."

According to Ford, a short circuit could develop in the module, causing the airbag warning light to illuminate. In more severe cases, dependent on where the short develops, the airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners may not work in the event of an accident. The problems can be more wide-ranging than that, too, as systems that rely on information from the control module, such as the stability control can be affected.

With 850,000 vehicles affected, it's no surprise that some of Ford's volume leaders are covered. That includes the Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans, as well as the incredibly recall-prone Escape and the C-Max MPV.

As always, it's important to note that there have been no accidents or injuries due to this issue. Ford will be notifying owners of affected vehicles, who will need to report in for a free replacement. Of the exactly 850,050 vehicles, 746,842 are in the United States, while 82,962 are in Canada and 20,246 are from south of the border in Mexico.

Scroll down for the full Ford press release, which includes a total breakdown of production dates for the affected models.

FORD ISSUES SAFETY RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2013-2014 FORD C-MAX, FUSION, ESCAPE AND LINCOLN MKZ VEHICLES IN NORTH AMERICA FOR RESTRAINTS CONTROL MODULE ISSUE

Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 850,000 (actual 850,050) 2013-2014 Ford C-MAX, Fusion, Escape and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America for a potential issue with the restraints control module.

In the affected vehicles, the restraints control module may experience a short circuit. If a short circuit occurs, the airbag warning indicator will illuminate. Depending on the location of the short circuit, the deployable restraint systems (e.g., airbags, pretensioners, side curtains) may not function as intended in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The short circuit may also affect the function of other systems that use data from the restraints control module, including stability control. In these cases, the corresponding warning indicator lamps would also illuminate.

Ford Motor Company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition. Dealers will replace the restraints control module at no cost to the customer.

Affected vehicles include certain 2013-2014 C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Jan. 19, 2012 to Nov. 21, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 3, 2012 to Aug. 24, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Escape vehicles built at Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 5, 2011 to Nov. 1, 2013 and certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, April 25, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013.

As of Sept. 24, 2014, we are aware of approximately 745,000 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories (actual 746,842), approximately 82,000 in Canada (actual 82,962) and approximately 20,000 in Mexico (actual 20,246).

By Brandon Turkus