Ford issues two safety recalls involving about 221,000 vehicles

(January 29, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is issuing two safety recalls, one concerning a spring that controls the interior door handles, and the other for a safety belt issue in Ford Transit Connect vehicles. No accidents or injuries are attributed to either of these conditions. The recalls involve about 221,000 vehicles.

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 205,000 2010-2013 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Ford Police Interceptor sedans due to an issue with the spring that controls the interior door handles. If the spring is unseated, the door may become unlatched in a side-impact crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles built Dec. 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010 and Feb. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2012 at Chicago Assembly Plant; certain 2010-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles built June 2, 2011 to Oct. 31, 2011 at Chicago Assembly Plant; and certain 2010-2013 Ford Police Interceptor sedans built Dec. 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010 and Feb. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2012 at Chicago Assembly Plant.

Ford is aware of 204,945 vehicles in North America, including 194,889 in the United States and federalized territories, 9,948 in Canada and 108 in Mexico.

Dealers will inspect all four interior door handle assemblies and repair or replace the handles as necessary. This will be done at no cost to customers.

The second recall involves certain 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for safety belt fastener torque issue. The recall affects approximately 16,100 2014 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for a potential issue with safety belt fasteners that may not have been tightened properly. Safety belt fasteners that do not meet installation torque specifications may loosen over time, which may cause them not to function as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2014 Ford Transit Connect vans built Nov. 6, 2013 to Sept. 20, 2014 at Valencia Assembly Plant. All 16,091 vehicles are located in the United States.

Dealers will replace and properly tighten the safety belt fasteners. This will be done at no cost to customers. Dealers will also replace and properly torque the cargo tie-downs in the cargo area.