Ford recalls 850,000 vehicles to fix airbag deployment glitch

Ford is recalling 850,000 vehicles because an electrical problem that could cause the vehicles’ airbags and seatbelts to fail.

The action affects the Ford Escape, Ford C-MAX, Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Of the 850,000-plus vehicles in the recall, 746,842 were sold in the US. The rest were in Canada and Mexico.

The issue is with the restraints control module. It can develop a short that causes the airbag warning light to illuminate or the stability control to stop working. However, depending upon where in the system the short develops, it could cause the airbags and the seatbelt pretensioners to falter during a collision.

The affected vehicles include:

• certain 2013-2014 C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, January 19, 2012 to November 21, 2013;
• certain 2013-2014 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, February 3, 2012 to August 24, 2013;
• certain 2013-2014 Escape vehicles built at Louisville Assembly Plant, October 5, 2011 to November 1, 2013;
• certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, April 25, 2012 to September 30, 2013.

Ford said it is unaware of any injuries or deaths related to the problem and will begin notifying owners who need to have their vehicles repaired shortly. The fix will be made free of charge.

This action is the 12th time the 2013 Escape has been recalled. One of the most recalled vehicles in Ford history, it has also been the subject of 41 technical service bulletins for various problems.