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Ford Announces Four Recalls, 1.4M Vehicles Affected

Ford is taking a bit of the spotlight away from General Motors, announcing a major group of recall campaigns, covering a total of 1.4 million vehicles built between 2006 and 2013. Let's start with the big one, which covers the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and, according to The Detroit News, Ford-built Mazda Tribute CUVs. 915,216 vehicles are covered, all of which were built in model years 2008 to 2011. 736,000 vehicles are in the US, while Canada then Mexico make up the vast majority of the remainder. The problem is due to an issue with the torque sensor in the steering column, which could lead to sudden power steering failure. Manual steering would still be available, though. "Dealers will perform one of three service fixes, depending upon what diagnostic codes are shown when the vehicle is taken to the dealer," Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker wrote to Autoblog in an email. "They will either update software for the power steering control module and the instrument cluster module; replace the torque sensor; or replace the steering column, which includes upgraded power steering control module software." The most recent generation of the Ford Explorer is suffering from a similar malady, thanks to an intermittent electrical connection (we think that means short circuit) in the steering column. Like the Escape and Mariner, manual steering would still be available in the event of a power failure. Ford will recall 195,527 examples of its Explorer, 177,500 of which are in the US. This recall covers model years 2011 to 2013. According to Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that Ford will inform owners of affected vehicles by July 25. Ford is also recalling 200,000 Taurus sedans, over a corrosion issue in the license plate lamp. This particular recall, which covers vehicles from model years 2010 to 2014, is limited to drivers in northern climes. Vehicle owners in southern states are free to pass on the recall. Finally, 82,576 Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ sedans from 2006 to 2011 are being recalled because of floormats that can interfere with the accelerator pedal. Dealers will replace the offensive floormats with newer examples. "Ford is committed to providing our customers with top quality vehicles. We are equally committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly for our customers," Felker wrote.

Signature Edition Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake to get limited production run

The upcoming Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang keeps grabbing a horde of headlines thanks in no small part to the pony car's 5.2-liter V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft, magnetic dampers and other go-fast goodies. However, as the new contender enters the ring, Shelby American is saying goodbye to the old GT500 and the company's even more powerful Super Snake version with its new Signature Edition model. Limited to a total of 50 conversions on 2007-2014 coupe or convertible GT500s, the Shelby American Signature Edition packages some of buyers' most common choices into a single vehicle with a few extra touches, as well. The heart of it all is a 3.6-liter Kenne Bell supercharger to replace the V8's standard blower and take power up to a claimed 850 horsepower for the latest models. To keep things running at the proper temp, the mill gets an upgraded radiator, heat exchanger and aluminum cooling tanks, too. The rear brakes are also improved to slow this stallion down. In addition to the boosted power, buyers get some extra style. These special Super Snakes are available in all of the colors available on them from Ford, plus a range of shades for the stripe, and the wide body package can also be added as an additional option. The limited version wears 20-inch forged wheels from Weld that are 9.5-inches wide at the front and 10.5-inches at the rear and feature Signature Edition center caps. Inside, there's a commemorative badge with Shelby's signature on the airbag cover and Signature Edition floor mats. Finally, customers get a day training at the track to learn how to control this beast as part of the package. Orders for the Signature Edition are being accepted through January 31, 2015, and the modded model is priced at $44,995.00, which is in addition to the price of the stock GT500. Read below for Shelby American's full announcement of this limited Mustang. SHELBY AMERICAN'S SIGNATURE EDITION GT500 SUPER SNAKE PACKAGES TO HONOR FINAL 2007-2014 MODEL YEAR CARS NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · Shelby American to offer 50 total Signature Edition Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snakes · Special badging and stripe colors offered for every model year for first time in history · Offer expires January 31, 2015 LAS VEGAS – Dec. 20, 2014 –Shelby American, a wholly owned subsidiary of Carroll Shelby International Inc. (CSBI:PK), has unveiled a Signature Edition Super Snake package to honor the end of production for the current generation Ford Shelby GT500.

Ford confirms 1.5-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine for 2014 Fusion

Earlier this week, reports were swirling 'round the internet about the 2014 Ford Fusion getting a new 1.5-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. That was... half correct. Ford today confirmed that the 2014 Fusion is, in fact, getting a new 1.5-liter EcoBoost mill, but it has four cylinders, not three.
The new 1.5-liter engine will be the fifth EcoBoost powerplant from Ford Motor Company. Initially to be built at the automaker's Craiova, Romania plant, it will also be offered in the Fusion's twin, the Mondeo, in other markets. This engine will debut at the Shanghai Motor Show next month, and the 1.5-liter is of particular importance in the Chinese market - there is significant tax relief in the People's Republic for vehicles powered by engines with a capacity of 1.5 liters or less.
At a media briefing Thursday, Ford declined to divulge exact power or fuel economy numbers, though Joe Bakaj, vice president of powertrain engineering, told Autoblog that power output should be similar to that of the current 1.6-liter inline-four, and that overall efficiency will be "better than the 1.6." Our earlier report stated that the 1.5-liter four will produce 177 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque - losses of 1 hp and 7 lb-ft versus the 1.6-liter engine. Ford states that the 1.5-liter four will feature many of the same technologies used on the company's 1.0-liter EcoBoost inline-three, including an integrated exhaust manifold that recaptures much of the engine's heat.