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Ford recalls more than 550,000 trucks and SUVs for various safety issues

Ford announced safety recalls for its current F-150 pickup along with several Ford and Lincoln crossovers early Wednesday. The recalls cover more than 550,000 vehicles and address various safety defects, ranging from a fire hazard to potential loss of braking power.  The most far-reaching of the recalls covers approximately 550,000 examples of the 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX, which may have been assembled with defective front brake jounce hoses (also commonly referred to as "flex lines"). These hoses run from fixed points on the chassis to the individual front brake calipers. Defective hoses could potentially rupture, allowing brake fluid to leak and resulting in a loss of braking function. Ford will replace the components in question with revised parts.  The next-largest recall is for roughly 3,000 2020 Lincoln Corsair crossovers. The affected models may have been assembled without proper clearance between their rear suspension springs and toe link brackets. The components could potentially make contact, wearing down the protective coating on the rear coil springs, allowing corrosion to occur over time. This corrosion could eventually lead to a failure of the spring. If this happens while the vehicle is being driven, it could result in a sudden change to the vehicle's handling characteristics, and the spring fragments could potentially cause further damage to the car or surrounding traffic.  Ford says owners will be notified that their Corsairs need to be inspected; if there is not adequate clearance between the rear suspension components, Ford's service technicians will remove material from the toe link bracket to allow for operation without contact.  The final (and by far the smallest) recall is for the 2020 F-150. Some units may have left the factory with the incorrect retention nut on the hot lead to the starter motor. Ford says it can cause increased heat generation or electrical arcing, which could potentially result in a fire. Ford says this issue is limited to just a few hundred examples sold in the United States. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the nut if necessary.       

Monochromatic Package spreads to Lincoln's Corsair, Nautilus, and Aviator

Lincoln is catering to buyers seeking a mostly chrome-free SUV by making the optional Monochromatic Package available on the Corsair, the Nautilus, and the Aviator. It was inaugurated by the Navigator in 2019. Inspired by current trends in fashion and interior design, the Monochromatic Package bundles a darker grille, tinted emblems, body-colored mirrors, and darkened trim pieces all around. It also includes black 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels, depending on the model. Lincoln made no mention of modifications in the cabin. 2021 Corsair and 2021 Aviator buyers who tick the Monochromatic Package box will be asked to choose from three colors named Pristine White, Infinite Black, and Asher Gray, respectively. The Monochromatic-equipped 2020 Nautilus will exclusively be offered in Infinite Black, while the 2020 Navigator carries on with Pristine White, Ceramic Pearl, and Infinite Black as its color options when buyers add the package. Lincoln hopes expanding the Monochromatic Package's availability will allow its SUVs to keep building momentum, but pricing information hasn't been announced yet. For context, the chrome-free look costs $3,495 on the 2020 Navigator, and it's exclusively offered on the mid-range Reserve model priced at $83,665. Like parent company Ford, Lincoln is increasingly reliant on its crossovers and SUVs. It confirmed its last two sedans, the MKZ and the Continental, will retire without a replacement in sight after the 2020 model year.

Ford to update Sync, MyFord Touch software... again

Ford hasn't had the best luck with its MyFord Touch and Sync systems, as the finicky infotainment system has been subject to a critical whooping while customer issues have helped sink Ford's IQS scores. The automaker has made a concerted effort, though, to try and fix MyFord Touch. And while the results have been mixed, The Blue Oval is hoping its latest free update, set to go live next week, will make things better.
According to a report from The Detroit News, the new system promises streamlined voice commands with fewer levels between opening query and actual result. Ford is also addressing where certain options are selected on the touchscreen. Rather than working one of the four quadrants on the homescreen, users will be able to select anywhere within the quadrant to make adjustments.
While it might only be a band-aid for MFT's problems, the fact that Ford is still trying to improve it is a promising sign. It's going to take more than just this update to address the system's ills, though.