Ford has two new recalls involving 423,000 vehicles in North America for potential steering problems as well as 19,500 Mustangs to prevent fuel leaks.
The first recall covers some 2011-2013 models of the Ford Taurus and Flex vehicles, Lincoln MKS and MKT as well as 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans and the 2011 Mercury Milan to check an electrical connection in the steering gear that could result in the loss of electric powering which leaves the car with manual steering that is tougher to steer.
The recall involves 393,622 vehicles in the United States; 25,195 in Canada and 3,997 in Mexico. There have been four minor accidents with no injuries related to the problem.
Dealers will either update software for the power steering control module or replace the steering gear.
The second recall is for the 2015 Ford Mustang with a 2.3 liter engine. If the underbody is too hot for too long, the fuel tank and vapor lines can degrade which could result in a fuel leak and cause a fire. The parking brake cable seals could also be damaged.
There are 19,095 vehicles in the United States and 391 in Canada affected. Dealers will replace the fuel tank shield with one with better insulation, install thermal patches on the fuel tank and parking brake cable, and put thermal wraps on the fuel vapor lines.