Ford recalls 1.3M cars; steering wheel can come loose

Washington — Ford Motor Co. is recalling approximately 1.3 million 2014-18 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America that are at risk of having their steering wheel detach from the steering column.

The Dearborn company said Wednesday the affected vehicles have steering wheel bolts that could potentially loosen and cause steering wheels to detach from the steering column.

Ford said it is aware of two accidents with one injury that was allegedly related to the steering wheel bolt problem.

“In affected vehicles, the steering wheel bolt may not maintain torque, allowing the bolt to loosen over time, and if not serviced, a steering wheel could potentially detach and lead to a loss of steering control and increased risk of a crash,” the company said in a recall notice.

Ford said the affected vehicles include:

■2014-17 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant from Aug. 6, 2013, to Feb. 29, 2016.

■2014-18 Ford Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant from July 25, 2013, to March 5, 2018.

■2014-18 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant from July 25, 2013, to March 5, 2018. “Ford said the recall involves approximately 1,301,986 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, with an additional 62,479 in Canada and 14,172 in Mexico.”

Ford said its dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt on the affected vehicles “with a longer bolt with more robust thread engagement and larger nylon patch placed properly for proper torque retention” for free.

klaing@detroitnews.com