Lincoln, Ford Recalls Issued Due to Risk of Vehicles Rolling Away

More than 120,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles have been recalled following warranty claims that suggest certain linkshafts may become disengaged, potentially causing loss of drive function and posing a roll away hazard, even if the transmission is placed in the “Park” position.  

The Ford power terrain and axle assembly recall was announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last month, after an internal investigation by Ford’s Field Review Committee showed certain vehicles halfshaft and linkshaft retention circlips may become disengaged during use or when in the parked position, posing a loss of control and a roll away hazard. To date, no accidents or injuries have been reported.

The vehicles affected by the recall include 2012 through 2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured from September 2, 2010 to November 30, 2013, 2013 through 2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured from August 25, 2011 to November 30, 2013 and 2013 through 2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured from September 12, 2011 to November 30, 2013.

Ford was first made aware of the issue in November of 2013, when the automaker noticed multiple reports of the halfshafts becoming disengaged from the linkshaft through routine warranty claim monitoring. Ford’s Field Review Committee began an internal investigation in December 2013 which evaluated the field report data and returned parts from the vehicles impacted by the disengaging halfshafts.

During the investigation Ford determined that all parts were found to be within the dimensional specifications. However, the analysis also determined that the circlips had not been fully engaged between the halfshaft and the linkshaft in vehicles that experienced the problems, indicating the halfshaft may not have been fully inserted during the vehicle assembly process.

If the halfshaft retention circlips were not fully engaged during the assembly process then over time the vehicle’s linkshaft and halfshaft may move outward causing a vibration noise, shearing sound, or full disengagement from the linkshaft. If the shafts fully disengage the vehicles will no longer have torque supplied to the wheels causing the driver to lose drive function. The vehicles may also experience a roll away hazard if the two shafts disengage even if the vehicle’s transmission is placed in the park position.

Ford believes there to be upward of 120,016 vehicles included in these date ranges but is unaware of how many of those vehicles are impacted by the halfshaft disengagement problem.

Ford plans to notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to ensure the halfshaft is properly installed. If the halfshafts are not installed properly Ford dealers will replace them free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on August 29, 2014 and owners with questions may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-800-392-3673 and refer to the recall number 14S10.