Ford Motor Issues Its Second-Largest Recall Of 2016, Covering Older F-150, Expedition, Mustang And Lincoln Navigator Vehicles

Ford Motor Co. said it’s recalling 184,000 vehicles in the U.S. that could suddenly downshift to first gear unexpectedly in the U.S. automaker’s second-biggest recall for the year. It also announced four other U.S. recalls for various issues, including a suspension-system flaw in some Ford Explorers and a tire problem in certain F-Series Super Duty trucks.

Scroll down for total list of Ford and Lincoln brand vehicle recalls for the year.

The largest recall covers some 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks and 2012 Expedition sport utility vehicles, Mustang muscle cars and Lincoln Navigators. All of the affected cars have six-speed automatic transmission. An additional 17,900 vehicles covered by the recall are in Canada.

“Under certain conditions, the transmission controls could force a temporary downshift into first gear,” the company said in a statement Wednesday. “Depending on the speed of the vehicle at the time of the downshift, the driver could experience an abrupt speed reduction that could cause the rear tires to slide or lock up.”

Ford said it’s aware of three injuries related to the problem.

Ford has had a light year in recalls so far, with the largest one related to the ongoing industrywide problem with explosive air bag inflators manufactured by Japan’s Takata Corp. The flaw can cause inflators to explode with dangerous force. In January the company expanded its list of vehicles affected by air bag defect to nearly 362,000 Ford Ranger utility vehicles.

In a separate recall, Ford said 75,364 Ford Explorer SUVs from the 2014 and 2015 model years might not have properly welded rear-suspension toe links. The flaw could cause the link to break while the vehicle is in motion. Ford says it’s aware of one accident and one injury related to the problem, which could also be found in the Explorer made for police departments. About 5,700 additional Explorers in Canada and Mexico are covered by the recall.

This is the third-largest Ford recall for the year, ahead of a recall last month covering nearly 49,000 Ford Transit vans with potentially faulty rear seat belt latches.

Ford also said that 2,288 F-Series Super Duty Trucks (the F-250 and larger from the 2016 model year) could have damaged tire sidewalls that could rupture while driving. There have been no reported accidents or injuries. About 300 more of these vehicles are located in Canada and Mexico.

Two other recalls cover a small number of vehicles for two different problems: 199 Ford Flex crossover utility vehicles, Ford Taurus sedans, Lincoln MKS sedans and Mercury Sable sedans from the 2007 to 2012 model years need repairs to their air bags, which might not deploy with adequate force; and 39 Fusion sedans for the 2016 model year with improperly welded driver’s-seat mounting brackets.

Here’s a list of all Ford and Lincoln brand recalls since the start of the year. Owners for Ford and Lincoln cars can check for recalls using their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at Ford’s recall website here.

- 361,692 Ford Ranger utility vehicles from the 2004 to 2006 model years for potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators;

- 184,000 Ford F-150 trucks (2011-2012) and 2012 Ford Expeditions, Mustangs and Lincoln Navigators for transmission-control flaw;

- 75,364 Ford Explorer SUVs (2014-2015) for improperly welded rear-suspension toe links;

- 48,990 Ford Transit vans (2015-2016) for potentially flawed rear seat belt latches;

- 37,066 Ford Transit vans (2015-2016) for side-curtain air bags that might not deploy properly;

- 4,654 Ford 650 SD and 750 SD heavy trucks (2015-2016) for faulty parking breaks;

- 2,894 Ford F-150 pickup trucks (2016) for a front seat sensor flaw that might cause improper air bag deployment;

- 2,288 F-Series Super Duty Trucks (2016) could have damaged tire sidewalls;

- 1,543 Ford Explorers (2016) and Lincoln MKCs (2015 and 2016) have potentially faulty engine block heaters that could pose a fire risk;

- 199 Ford Flex, Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Sable vehicles (2007 to 2012) have air bags that might not deploy with adequate force to be effective in injury prevention;

- 75 Ford E-350 and E-450 vans (2016) for a trailer braking system that could fail;

- 29 Ford Fusion sedans (2016) for improperly welded driver’s-seat mounting brackets.