(May 27, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has issued two safety recalls involving 442,500 vehicles in North America. The first recall involves about 423,000 2011-2013 Ford Taurus and Flex vehicles, Lincoln MKS and MKT vehicles, for certain 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles, and for certain 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles in North America for potential issue with electric power steering.

Ford says a potential intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear might result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving. If this happens, the steering system defaults to manual steering mode, making the vehicle more difficult to steer, especially at lower speeds. This could result in the increased risk of a crash.

Ford is aware of four minor accidents that might be related to this condition, but no injuries.

Involved in the recall are 393,622 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, 25,195 in Canada and 3,997 in Mexico.

Dealers will perform one of two service fixes, depending upon whether certain diagnostic trouble codes are present in the vehicle. They will either update software for the power steering control module or replace the steering gear.

Ford has also issued a safety recall for certain 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles with a 2.3 liter engine in North America for elevated underbody temperatures. The recall affects 19,500 Mustang vehicles with a 2.3 liter engine for elevated underbody temperatures in North America.

Prolonged exposure to elevated underbody temperatures might cause degradation of the fuel tank and fuel vapor lines, which could eventually result in a fuel leak. In addition, prolonged exposure to elevated underbody temperatures might cause the parking brake cable seals to degrade, potentially affecting parking brake functions. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Impaired parking brake function could result in unexpected vehicle movement, which might increase the risk of injury.

Ford is not aware of any accidents, injuries or fires resulting from this condition.

Affected vehicles include certain 2015 Ford Mustang vehicles built Feb. 14, 2014 to Feb. 10, 2015 at Flat Rock Assembly Plant. There are 19,095 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, and 391 in Canada.

Dealers will replace the current fuel tank shield with a shield with better insulating capability, install thermal patches on the fuel tank and parking brake cable, and install thermal wraps on the fuel vapor lines.