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Ford recalling 12,300 2015 F-150 pickups

Ford is recalling 12,300 of its new 2015 F-150 pickup trucks in North America. According to the automaker, an upper l-shaft may have been riveted improperly on these trucks, which can cause it to separate. If that happens, drivers may lose steering control without warning. Yikes. The affected trucks were built at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant between March 21 and 25, as well as the Dearborn Truck Plant between March 21 and 30. There are 12,328 total trucks included in this recall – 8,963 in the United States, 3,348 in Canada, and 17 in Mexico. Only 5,606 of the trucks are in customers' hands, the rest have yet to be sold. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem, but knows of one incident where steering control was lost, and believes it to be related to this issue. Scroll down for Ford's official statement. Related Video: FORD ISSUES SAFETY RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2015 FORD F-150 VEHICLES IN NORTH AMERICA FOR UPPER I-SHAFT RIVET ISSUE Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for approximately 12,300 2015-model Ford F-150 vehicles in North America for an upper I-shaft that might have been riveted improperly, potentially causing it to separate. If that happens, it could result in the loss of steering control without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries, but is aware of one report of loss of steering believed to be related to this condition. Affected vehicles include certain 2015 F-150 vehicles built at Kansas City Assembly Plant from March 19, 2015 to March 21, 2015 and certain 2015 F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Truck Plant from March 21, 2015 to March 30, 2015. There are 12,328 vehicles that might be affected in North America, including 8,963 in the United States and federalized territories, 3,348 in Canada and 17 in Mexico. Of those, 6,722 vehicles are unsold, meaning 5,606 vehicles are in customer's hands. Dealers will inspect the upper I-shaft assembly and replace it if necessary at no cost to the customer.

Has the auto industry hit peak hybrid?

Hybrids are known for their great fuel economy and low emissions, but it looks like given current market conditions, only about three percent of new car consumers are willing to pay the premium for them. A new study from IHS/Polk finds that the hybrid market share among overall US auto sales are falling, despite more models with the technology on sale than ever before.
The study examined new car registrations in March from 2009 through 2014. In that time, the auto industry grew from 24 to 47 hybrid models available to consumers, but market share for the powertrain remained almost stagnant in that time. As of 2009, hybrids held 2.4 percent of the market; it fell slightly to 2.3 percent in 2010 and grew to 3.3 percent in 2013. However, 2014 showed a drop back to 3 percent. Overall hybrid sales have been growing since 2010, but they just aren't keeping up with the total auto market.
According to IHS/Polk, this isn't what you would expect to see. Usually, each new model in the market brings along with it a boost in sales. The growth in hybrid models 2009 to 2014 should have shown a larger increase in share for the segment.

Ford recalls 200K Escape, Transit Connect models over instrument panel

Ford is announcing two new recalls that cover a total of 203,494 vehicles in North America. By far the larger of the campaigns is a recall for 203,445 examples of the 2014-2015 Escape and Transit Connect in North America. Specifically, there are 182,520 units recalled in the US, 18,226 in Canada, and 2,699 in Mexico. For these models, the instrument cluster, warning messages, lights, and chimes might not work at startup. This problem puts the vehicles out of compliance with the federal motor vehicle code, and the fix is a software update. The other recall is minuscule and only affects 49 units of the 2015 Transit that are owned by a single fleet customer. The company's vans have a specially ordered front passenger seatbelt, but the parts aren't labeled correctly under the federal code. Everything works properly, though, according to Ford. The fix is simply a new decal with the required info. No accidents or injuries are known to be related to either of these two recalls. Related Video: FORD ISSUES TWO SAFETY COMPLIANCE RECALLS IN NORTH AMERICA DEARBORN, Mich., June 24, 2015 – Ford is issuing two safety compliance recalls in North America. There are no accidents or injuries attributed to these conditions. Details are as follows: Ford issues safety compliance recall for certain 2014-2015 Transit Connect and Escape vehicles for instrument panel issue Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety compliance recall for approximately 203,500 2014-2015 Transit Connect and Escape vehicles in North America for an issue with the instrument panel cluster. When starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster, warning chimes, messages and warning lights may not work, which is a compliance issue with FMVSS 101 and other applicable FMVSS requirements. If these displays don't work as intended, it could increase the risk of a crash. Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue. Affected vehicles include certain 2014-2015 Transit Connect vehicles built at Valencia Assembly Plant in Spain, May 13, 2014 to Dec. 10, 2014 and certain 2014-2015 Escape vehicles built at Louisville Assembly Plant, May 19, 2014 to Feb. 6, 2015. There are 203,445 vehicles in North America, including 182,520 in the United States and federalized territories, 18,226 in Canada and 2,699 in Mexico. Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster software at no cost to the customer.