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2013-2017 Ford Explorer recalled over rear suspension issue, again

Ford is recalling about 375,000 Explorer SUV models built between 2013 and 2017 in North America to fix a potential defect in the rear suspension. In "North America states and provinces where corrosion is common," which we take to mean areas that experience harsh winters and heavily salted roads, "a fracture of the outboard section of the rear suspension toe link" is possible on affected vehicles. Ford says 350,000 of these models were sold in the United States and another 25,200 in Canada. This isn't the first time Explorers of this generation have been recalled for fractured toe links. Back in the summer of 2017, 1.2 million Explorer models were recalled over toe links that could fracture if subjected to "frequent full rear suspension articulation (jounce and rebound)." A little over a year earlier, 75,000 Explorers were recalled over, you guessed it, rear toe links that may not have been welded properly. It's not just Explorers that Ford has recalled over rear toe links. Earlier this year, the automaker issued a recall that covered nearly 230,000 Ford Flex, Taurus and Lincoln MKT models. All of these recalled vehicles ride on similar unibody underpinnings that Ford calls the D4 platform. We can't say whether these other D4-based vehicles will get another recall as the Explorer has. Ford says it is aware of as many as 13 crashes and six injuries attributable to the toe links covered under this most recent Explorer recall. Owners will need to visit their preferred dealership, which will "complete a torque inspection of the cross-axis ball joint and replace it as necessary," according to Ford. Related Video:

2020 Lincoln MKZ gets price and trim changes, new packages

The Lincoln MKZ doesn't have much longer to live, slated to meet the executioner later this year. The team in charge isn't letting the brand's penultimate sedan die unloved, Ford Authority reporting a raft of cosmetic changes and packages that can set the 2020 model apart from others. The three engines, FWD or AWD, and hybrid option stand pat. There's been the expected trim rationalization, though, and some noteworthy price changes. Last year's nine trim combinations are whittled to five in 2020 — the base hybrid, Reserve I in FWD and AWD, and Hybrid Reserve II are no more. The new base models see an increase in MSRP, but there are big savings on the Reserve models. The remaining trims are listed here with their price differences compared to 2019, after the $995 destination charge: Base FWD for $37,745 (+ $755) Base AWD for $39,745 (+ $755) Reserve II FWD for $44,495 (- $2,445) Hybrid Reserve I FWD for $43,495 (+ $3,505) Reserve II AWD for $45,495 (- $2,445) Outside, four colors in the current palette disappear: Empire Blue Metallic, Magma Red Metallic, Red Carpet Metallic and Silver Radiance Metallic. Four new colors take their places: Blue Diamond Metallic, Crystal Copper Metallic, Ingot Silver Metallic and Ruby Red Metallic. A new, bright aluminum 19-inch wheel with ebony pockets is available on all four trims. There's a lot more happening on the packages page, Lincoln throwing five new bundles at the configurator. Only one can be specced on the base MKZ and the MKZ Hybrid, that being the Convenience Package that gathers features such as a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with memory, power trunk lid with soft close, voice-activated touchscreen navigation, and Lincoln Experiences Phase II, which means dynamic signature lighting and smart power mirrors. That suite tacks $2,000 onto the price.  Three packages can be had only on the MKZ Reserve with either engine option and the MKZ Hybrid Reserve. The Elements package runs $800 for goodies like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The $3,000 Luxury Package adds full LED headlights, Multi-Contour front seats with Active Motion, and the 20-speaker, 1,200-watt Revel Ultima Audio System. The $1,595 Monochromatic Package can only be ordered in Infinite Black or Platinum White. Both hues get upper grilles and other body trim in the chosen color, as well as 19-inch polished black wheels.

MyFord Touch getting buttons and knobs back to counter criticisms

Ford deserves credit for being a front-runner in offering advanced infotainment technology with its Sync and MyFord Touch systems, but continued consumer complaints over its confusing touchscreen interface and capacitive controls has made the automaker relent. The Wall Street Journal reports that physical buttons and knobs for controlling tuning and volume will be coming back to Ford vehicles equipped with the controversial infotainment system.
The 2013 F-150 with MyFord Touch gives us a glimpse of what the new layout with buttons and knobs might look like, as Ford says a similar balance of touch screen capability and buttons/knobs are what's being planned for future models. And, while capacitive controls have no fans in the halls of Autoblog, many of Ford's models with MyFord Touch do have a large physical knob for adjusting volume with integrated buttons for tuning and advancing tracks, though most of those are models with the optional upgraded Sony Audio system. Lincoln models with MyLincoln Touch, however, feature only capacitive controls for all stereo and climate functions.
Despite receiving enough complaints to throw buttons and knobs back into the mix (a move that reminds us of BMW's iDrive trajectory, among others), Ford reports that Sync and MyFord Touch have still been sold on 79 percent of its 2013 model year vehicles, a number it claims is double the rate that Honda and Toyota are getting for their infotainment systems. Ford also states that owners who do opt for the duo of technologies are more satisfied with overall vehicle quality than those who don't have it.