Ford this morning announced two separate recalls amounting to more than 400,000 potentially affected vehicles. Under campaign ID number 12V006000, Ford will recall 205,896 Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans for a faulty torque converter in automatic transmissions. Under campaign ID number 12V005000, Ford will recall 244,530 Escape SUV’s for a potentially faulty control module in the antilock brake system.
The affected years for the minivans are models manufactured between 2004 and 2005. Ford says a shaft in the torque converter may fail leading to a sudden loss of power, without warning, increasing the risk of an accident. The recall will take place this spring, and dealers will replace the torque converter free of charge.
The affected Escape SUV’s are those manufactured between October 22, 1999 through July 19, 2002, where Ford said corrosion can form in an electrical connector, thus potentially leading to melting, smoke, or a fire. Ford will begin notifying customers later this month, and dealers will replace the brake system’s master cylinder cap and modify the ABS’ electrical system. However, due to a parts delay, repair may not be available by that time, and Ford urges customers to leave their vehicles parked outside.
Owners wishing for more details can contact Ford’s customer service line at (866) 436-7332, the NHTSA at (888) 327-4236, or visit www.safercar.gov.
Source: NHTSA
