Just the Facts:
Federal safety regulators have dropped a probe into 29,807 2011-'12 Ford Mustangs equipped with manual transmissions after consumer complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear while driving.
"There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NHTSA said it analyzed data provided by Ford and "364 unique reports indicating various shift quality issues while driving" from consumers.

WASHINGTON — Federal safety regulators have dropped a probe into 29,807 2011-'12 Ford Mustangs equipped with manual transmissions after consumer complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear while driving.

"There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles," said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in a statement on its Web site. "The preliminary evaluation is closed."

NHTSA said it analyzed data provided by Ford and "364 unique reports indicating various shift quality issues while driving" from consumers.

"Ford identified several factors that may contribute to shift quality concerns in the subject vehicles, including cold transmission, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash or grinding, and gradual loosening of clutch plate bolts in some early production vehicles," said NHTSA in its defect investigations summary.

It said the largest percentage of complaints indicated higher-than-expected shift efforts in cold ambient temperatures. The complaints "resolved themselves with the drivetrain warming," said NHTSA.

It noted that its analysis also identified "only five complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear due to loose clutch plate bolts.

"A revised fastener was designed and implemented into production and is available for service," NHTSA noted.

Such an investigation can sometimes lead to a recall.

Inside Line says: No recall or any other action as NHTSA drops a federal probe into the 2011-'12 Ford Mustangs with manual transmissions.

Federal safety regulators are investigating sticky accelerators in Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans that could affect more than 1.9 million vehicles in the 2001 through 2006 model years.
Earlier federal safety regulators said the investigation covered an estimated 360,000 cars.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started the probe last week, but expanded it on Monday. The safety agency has received 14 complaints of Taurus sedans accelerating on their own. So far it has no reports of crashes or injuries because of the problem.

A faulty cruise control cable may be the cause of the problems. The cable can become detached and hold the throttle open, the agency said in documents posted on its website. In at least two of the complaints, drivers told NHTSA that their cars took off and ran red lights before they were able to bring them to a stop by shifting them into neutral or park.

"This is an extremely dangerous situation," one driver wrote in a complaint. "There needs to be something done about this before it becomes fatal."

It's a problem similar to one that tarnished Toyota Motor Corp.'s reputation about two years ago. The Japanese automaker eventually recalled 14 million vehicles worldwide because of acceleration problems, which it blamed on ill-fitting floor mats and sticky accelerator pedals. At the time NHTSA said at least 52 people were killed in crashes linked to Toyota's acceleration problems. A NHTSA investigation cleared Toyota's electronic throttle controls as a cause of the problem.

Ford is cooperating with the NHTSA investigation, spokesman Daniel Pierce said Monday.
"It's asking for information like they have done in the past with other vehicles, and we will be working with them throughout the investigation," Pierce said. Ford received a request for information from NHTSA on Monday and it is just starting to look into how many complaints have been made to company dealers, Pierce said.

In its investigation NHTSA will determine how many cars had the same parts and whether the problem is widespread enough to trigger a recall. So far none of the cars has been recalled. The Taurus and Sable are nearly identical and share almost all the same parts.

The Taurus, which was introduced in late 1985, was the best-selling car in the U.S. for five years in the early 1990s. Ford let it languish while it focused on SUVs, and the Toyota Camry was soon outselling it. Ford renamed the Taurus the Five Hundred in 2006, but new CEO Alan Mulally insisted that the company return to the Taurus name with the 2008 model year.

Taurus sales have remained sluggish. Ford sold 63,526 of them last year, just 15 percent of the total sold at the car's peak in 1992. The company discontinued the Mercury brand in 2010.

Ford has recalled the Taurus before for problems with its cruise control system. In 2008, the company recalled 1993-1995 models of the Taurus SHO, a performance edition, because faulty cruise control switches were linked to engine fires.

Ford is issuing safety recalls for nearly 1.4 million cars in North America.

The first recall affects 915 thousand Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles in North America for a potential issue with the torque sensor within the steering column.

Ford shares traded about 1 percent higher in mid-afternoon trade on Thursday.

Ford said the issue could result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving.

The company is also recalling 195 thousand Ford Explorers in North America for a potential intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear that may result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving.

Dealers will perform one of three service fixes, depending upon what diagnostic codes are shown when the vehicle is taken to the dealer.

The fixes will either update software for the power steering control module, replace the torque sensor or replace the steering column which includes upgraded power steering control module software.

In addition, the carmaker recalling about 200 thousand Taurus sedans in North America, affecting model years 2010 - 2014 for a corrosion issue.

It also recalled 82 thousand sedans because of floor mats that may interfere with the operation of the vehicles' gas pedals. The affected mats were put in 2006 - 2011 model year Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ sedans.

The automaker did not say how much the recall is expected to cost.

—CNBC.com

Last November, Ford recalled one (yes, just one) Escape PHEV for a battery issue concerning the busbar terminal. Fast forward to the present day, and Samsung SDI, the supplier of the high-voltage battery, announces a new safety recall that involves 1,139 Ford vehicles and 24 Stellantis vehicles.
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Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration don’t list which nameplates are affected, but Samsung SDI does mention the Escape PHEV recall mentioned in the opening paragraph. The company further lists a few part numbers of which nearly half are unknown to Google Search. The remaining three part numbers lead to the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, the plug-in hybrid variant that features a 2.0-liter turbo.

The South Korean supplier has identified welding issues in the manufacturing process of the high-voltage battery cell module, a condition that may lead to a loss of propulsion. The busbar pad was not seated properly or the power of the welding between the cell terminal and busbar was insufficient.

Manufactured by a South Korean sub-supplier by the name of Nex+, the faulty busbar will be replaced along with the high-voltage battery. Samsung’s battery-making division further highlights that the remedy battery cell module contains properly seated and welded busbars.

Somewhat worrying for such a serious problem, Samsung SDI still hasn’t determined when they’ll replace these batteries. They first have to talk with Ford and Stellantis, then secure enough replacement batteries from an already thinned supply chain. In any case, Samsung SDI further told the NHTSA that “owner notification letters will be mailed no later than 60 days after the submission of this report,” namely March 28th, 2022 at the latest.

On that note, Ford’s most fuel-efficient Escape is currently available only with front-wheel drive from $33,540 for the SE trim level. Considerably more powerful and more capable off the beaten path, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe comes exclusively with the four-door body from $52,530 for the Sahara.

Last month, Ford discovered an issue with connectors for the fuel filler pipe vapor line connector on 2022-model-year Mustangs. The vapor line connects to the main filler tube that runs from the gas tank to the fuel filler opening, the vapor line there to vent tank gases. The problem was a supplier-built connector that didn't meet the necessary engineering specs. Ford fixed all the Mustangs before they made their way to dealers. Problem is, 2022-model-year Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators built from Dec. 6, 2021, to Jan. 3, 2022, could suffer from a similar issue and did not get fixed at the factory. Hence, Ford is recalling 18,078 examples of the Explorer and Aviator to be repaired.

The matter with the SUVs is that the actual fuel filler tube can detach in a crash or even day-to-day operation. If this happens, a fuel leak can result, which might cause a fire. Ford said that "depending on the extent of the vapor leak," the check engine light might appear on the dash, throwing trouble codes P0456, P0442, P0455, or P04F0. The company isn't aware of any accidents or injuries due to the situation.

To check on whether your Explorer or Aviator is affected, you can go to the NHTSA recall site and enter your Explorer's or Aviator's VIN. The fix is a trip to the dealer to have a redundant locking clip installed, free of charge. Dealers have already been notified. Ford will begin informing customers on April 4. For more information, affected owners can call Ford Customer Service at 866-436-7332 and reference recall number 22C02, or get in touch with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236 and reference campaign number 22V-088.

Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group has discovered 23 field reports of engine fires in vehicles equipped with its 2.5-liter hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain. It has, therefore, decided to issue a recall and a stop sale on 100,689 vehicles in the United States.

Included in the recall are the 2020-2022 Ford Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and the 2022 Ford Maverick pickup truck. The recall affects vehicles built at Ford’s Louisville and Hermosillo plants between January 19, 2019 and June 13, 2022.

Ford first became aware of the issue on May 4, 2022, and the company’s Critical Concern Review Group decided to investigate. It analyzed data from 19 field reports of under hood fires or smoke on vehicles equipped with the 2.5-liter hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

The reports were reviewed, and the problem was traced back to engine failures involving engine block or oil pan breaches. This would allow oil and gas to leak out of the engine and pool near hot surfaces in the engine bay, most relevantly the exhaust system, which could cause the fluids to ignite.

By June, the automaker had 23 warranty and field reports of fires or smoke related to this block or oil pan breach globally. Of these, nine were described as under hood or vehicle fires, six described as under hood melting, seven saw under hood smoke, and one could not be characterized. Fortunately, no injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of this problem.

Ford has decided to issue a recall and advised its dealers to make modifications to any affected units on the lot. The solution it has found is to drill additional drain holes in the under engine shield and to remove four blinds from the Active Grille Shutter, which can make the problem worse by not allowing air to flow through the engine bay and wick away fuel vapors. Oddly, there is no information in this recall about fixing the engine and oil pan breaches.

​​​​​​​At any rate, Ford will be getting in touch with owners starting on August 8 and asking them to come in to a dealer to have the fix installed free of charge.

It’s also advising owners are advised to park and shut off the engine “as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in
vehicle power, or see smoke”.

Ford's latest recall will cost quite a bit to fix. The automaker issued it for certain Lincoln Aviator, Ford Bronco, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Transit models due to potential issues with the rearview camera, a problem that has plagued the automaker. It affects 169,277 vehicles, with the numerous repairs costing the company an estimated $270 million, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Affected vehicles could experience a loss of the rear camera image when the vehicle is in reverse. The issue could cause the screen to display a blue or black picture, potentially leading to a collision. The affected vehicles are certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator crossovers, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator SUVs, 2022-2023 Ford Transit vans, and 2021 Ford Bronco SUVs.

The cause of the issue depends on the type of camera system installed in the vehicle. In some, fretting corrosion (corrosion that degrades surfaces) is forming on the internal camera connector, disrupting the image. The systems could also be suffering from manufacturing defects that misaligned the connector. In others, like the Transit, the issue is the image processing module.

In January 2023, Ford recalled 382,000 vehicles for similar rearview camera issues. That one included the Aviator, Ford Explorer, and Lincoln Corsair, which are vehicles Ford mentions in its September 1 SEC filing as part of its estimated $270 million cost.

According to the US Department of Transportation's DataHub, Ford again leads automakers in issuing recalls. So far this year, Ford has issued 42 recalls affecting 4.6 million vehicles. Chrysler has the next highest number of recalls – 33 – involving 2.1 million models. Ford ended 2022 with the most recalls of any automaker, just as it had ended 2021. Last year, the Blue Oval had 65 campaigns for over 8.6 million vehicles.

So far this year, Ford has issued recalls for the Bronco, F-150, Escape, Expedition, and others. In July, the automaker recalled nearly 900,000 F-150s because some models could suffer sudden electric parking brake activation. In June, 125,000 Escapes, Mavericks, and Lincoln Corsairs were recalled for an increased fire risk should the engine suffer a catastrophic failure.

Ford's recall headaches also affect older models like the Lincoln MKC, which the automaker had to recall for the possibility of a fire under the hood. The company also brought specific 2004-2006 Ford Ranger pickups back to the dealer to fix previously replaced airbags that may have been incorrectly installed.

The automaker will ask owners to bring their affected vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln service center for the free repair. The company will replace affected rearview camera systems and update the image processing module software. Ford will begin notifying affected customers starting October 2.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an investigation over 241,014 Ford EcoSport engines that could fail due to an oil pump assembly issue. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, owners of the 2018 to 2021 model years may need their vehicles' engines replaced.

According to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) report summary, the office has received 95 consumer complaints relating to the issue. They report engine failures in the now-discontinued EcoSport following a low engine oil pressure warning lamp that later precedes a loss or reduction of motive power.

Fortunately, no crashes, fatalities, or injuries were reported related to the issue.

The engine in question is the 1.0-liter EcoBoost (turbocharged) engine, making around 123 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque. The engine may be considered an award-winning power unit, but the Blue Oval company faced a lawsuit of over $1 billion for reliability issues.

Looking at Ford EcoSport online forums, one owner of a 2018 model year with 68,000 miles on the odometer complained about a "dreaded" oil pump issue. Like the initial investigation assessment, the user kept receiving suggestions for an engine replacement.

Another user who owns a 2018 EcoSport with over 70,000 miles on the odometer had an engine failure after the wet timing belt snapped and blocked the oil pump. The user said around $9,000 was spent to repair the issue: $2,500 for a complete gearbox rebuild and $7,000 for an engine rebuild.

This is similar to the teardown of a 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine, where a mechanic believes the wet belt is a poor design.

We will keep track of the latest developments in the investigation. Ford would again lose tons of money for remedy works if the findings resulted in a recall. In our previous report, the company is estimated to spend about $270 million to fix faulty cameras in the Ford Explorer, Ford Bronco, and other Lincoln units.