2010 Lincoln Mkz Base Sedan 4-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Ford Announces Four Recalls, 1.4M Vehicles Affected

Ford is taking a bit of the spotlight away from General Motors, announcing a major group of recall campaigns, covering a total of 1.4 million vehicles built between 2006 and 2013. Let's start with the big one, which covers the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and, according to The Detroit News, Ford-built Mazda Tribute CUVs. 915,216 vehicles are covered, all of which were built in model years 2008 to 2011. 736,000 vehicles are in the US, while Canada then Mexico make up the vast majority of the remainder. The problem is due to an issue with the torque sensor in the steering column, which could lead to sudden power steering failure. Manual steering would still be available, though. "Dealers will perform one of three service fixes, depending upon what diagnostic codes are shown when the vehicle is taken to the dealer," Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker wrote to Autoblog in an email. "They will either update software for the power steering control module and the instrument cluster module; replace the torque sensor; or replace the steering column, which includes upgraded power steering control module software." The most recent generation of the Ford Explorer is suffering from a similar malady, thanks to an intermittent electrical connection (we think that means short circuit) in the steering column. Like the Escape and Mariner, manual steering would still be available in the event of a power failure. Ford will recall 195,527 examples of its Explorer, 177,500 of which are in the US. This recall covers model years 2011 to 2013. According to Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has stated that Ford will inform owners of affected vehicles by July 25. Ford is also recalling 200,000 Taurus sedans, over a corrosion issue in the license plate lamp. This particular recall, which covers vehicles from model years 2010 to 2014, is limited to drivers in northern climes. Vehicle owners in southern states are free to pass on the recall. Finally, 82,576 Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ sedans from 2006 to 2011 are being recalled because of floormats that can interfere with the accelerator pedal. Dealers will replace the offensive floormats with newer examples. "Ford is committed to providing our customers with top quality vehicles. We are equally committed to addressing potential issues and responding quickly for our customers," Felker wrote.

Lincoln previews the blingier Navigator it will launch for 2022

Lincoln's current-generation Navigator will receive a mid-cycle update for the 2022 model year to fend off a growing list of rivals. The company published a short video on social media to preview some of the changes it has made. Up front, the refreshed Navigator features new-look headlights with LED accents and a subtly revised grille fitted with what looks like a backlit Lincoln emblem. There's also a new piece of trim labeled "The Lincoln Motor Company," which is the carmaker's official name. All told, the changes made to the front end look relatively minor. We're guessing that the rear fascia will be similarly nip-and-tucked, but it doesn't appear in Lincoln's 18-second video and it was completely camouflaged in the last batch of photos we received from our spies. However, we've seen enough of it to tell that the massive light bar will be either significantly trimmed down or removed altogether. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Technology updates will likely round out the changes made for 2022. It's too early to tell if Lincoln will mix things up under the hood. As of writing, the Navigator's only available engine is a twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 rated at 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Its most direct rival is the recently-redesigned Cadillac Escalade, which eschewed downsizing and still offers a V8, and it now needs to worry about the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which is V8-only. Could Lincoln surprise us by giving the big Navigator its V8 engine back? Lincoln will unveil the 2022 Navigator next Wednesday, August 18, and sales will start in the following weeks. Unsurprisingly, the Ford Expedition that the Navigator is related to will also enter 2022 after undergoing a series of changes. Visual tweaks will help the new model stand out from its predecessor, and spy shots suggest at least two new variants will join the range. One is a performance-oriented ST-badged model, and the other is an outdoorsy Timberline trim.

Ford recalls 1.48 million F-150s for transmission, plus other models

Weeks after recalling more than 800,000 F-Series pickup trucks for a fire risk, Ford has issued another separate recall for approximately 1.48 million 2011-2013 F-150s for a transmission fault. The six-speed automatics could unexpectedly downshift into first gear without warning. Ford and Lincoln tangentially issued much smaller recalls for the Mustang, Continental, Nautilus, and Navigator. According to Ford, some 2011-2013 model year F-150 pickups with six-speed automatic transmissions could "experience an intermittent loss of the transmission output speed sensor signal to the powertrain control module." This could potentially cause the trucks to temporarily downshift, which could be dangerous if it occurs while driving. Of the 1.48 million affected trucks, 1.26 million are in the U.S. while 221,000 are in Canada. Thus far, Ford knows of five reported accidents involving the issue. To remedy the problem, owners can take their trucks to dealers to update the power control module software. Ford also issued recalls for about 4,350 2019 Mustangs, Lincoln Nautiluses, and Lincoln Navigators in the U.S. and Canada due to a possible fault with the instrument clusters. Although there have been no reports of accidents, Ford says the instrument panel clusters assemblies might be blank or not turn out when the vehicle is started. Additionally, Ford issued a third recall for 28,200 2017-2019 Lincoln Continentals in the U.S. and Canada. Ford says silicon contamination might build up inside the door latch motor, causing it to malfunction. As a result, the door latch might not always fully engage, and the doors could possibly open unexpectedly. Despite no reports of accidents, Ford will remove and replace door latch assemblies on all doors for those affected by the defect. If any of these apply to a vehicle you own, contact Ford to discuss whether it is included in any of these recalls and have the vehicle checked out at a Ford dealership.