Triple threat: Ford issues three recalls for fuel pumps, power windows
Vans, SUVs, sedans and police cars are all present and accounted for in this latest triumvirate.
Ford sure does love issuing recalls in bunches. Already this year, the automaker's issued triple and quintuple recalls. They don't always cover the same vehicles, but sometimes there's some overlap. That tradition continues once again today, as Ford's thrown three more recalls into the mix.
There's no rhyme or reason connecting all three of these recalls. Two are related to fuel, although one is for diesel vans and the other is for gas-powered sedans. There's no vehicle overlap at all, with each recall covering separate models.
All in, we're looking at over 100,000 recalled vehicles across two brands and seven models.
Recall the first: Gasoline fuel pump modules
2015 Ford Flex
Ford's first recall covers about 88,000 sedans and crossovers, all of which are equipped with Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. It also includes Ford's Police Interceptor sedan, no matter what engine is installed under the hood.
The affected vehicles include the following models from the 2013-2015 model year: Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKT, Ford Police Interceptor. The Taurus, MKS and cop car were all built in Chicago, with the others coming from Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
The issue lies with the fuel pump control module. It has a chance of failing, which could prevent fuel from reaching the engine, causing it to either stall or not start. That's not what you want happening on the highway. Ford will replace the control modules at no charge.
Recall the second: Diesel fuel pumps
2015 Ford Transit 150
The next recall also involves fuel pumps, but of a different sort. This one covers approximately 2,500 examples of the 2015-2016 Ford Transit van, all of which are equipped with the brand's 3.2-liter diesel engine.
In this case, the fuel injection pump could fail. Like the previous recall, that can prevent fuel from reaching the engine, which will result in either a stall or a vehicle that cannot be started.
The fix sounds a little scary. First, Ford will check to see if the fuel system contains "metallic contamination." If it doesn't have any, Ford will still replace the injection pump and its related parts. If there is contamination, Ford will replace not only the injection pump, but also the injectors and the fuel filter, and it will also flush the system of contaminants, which could clog or otherwise junk up the fuel system.
Recall the third: Power window software
2017 Ford Escape
Finally, Ford has issued a recall for about 23,000 examples of the recently refreshed 2017 Ford Escape. The vehicles were built at the Louisville Assembly Plant between 5 October 2015 and 12 May 2016. About 80 percent of these vehicles are in the US, with the rest in Canada.
This time around, the issue has nothing to do with fuel pumps. Instead, the cars have some wonky power-window software that could exceed the regulated level for the window's closing force. If the window closes too forcefully, it could increase the chance for harming an individual caught in the closing window's path.
The fix is the easiest of the three. Ford will update the vehicle's power window software, which shouldn't take very long, and then it'll work correctly. Easy peasy.
