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Elliot Olsen has extensive experience representing people harmed by defective products, and he has regained millions of dollars in compensation. If you or a family member were injured because of a defective Ford steering wheel, please call 612-337-6126, or complete the following:
The Ford Motor Company has recalled approximately 1.4 million cars because their steering wheels can become loose and even come off while driving. The affected models are 2014 through 2018 Ford Fusions and Lincoln MKZs.
Ford officials said they are aware of two accidents and one injury that might have occurred because of the problem. Documents Ford filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said one accident involved a Fusion being totaled when it hit a manhole.
The problem is a too-loose steering wheel bolt. If it loosens enough, it could cause the steering wheel to detach.
In February, the owner of a 2014 Fusion in Tennessee made this complaint: “While driving on interstate, steering wheel came loose and car veered off interstate. I regained control, but steering wheel is still loose … as repairs will cost beyond my means at this moment.”
Most of the affected automobiles were manufactured at the Ford plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. Some Fusions built in Flat Rock, MI, from 2013 through 2016 are also included.
Ford said any concerned owners should contact their local dealer.
Ford has recalled about 1.4 million automobiles because the steering wheel can loosen – or even come off – while driving. The recall affects Fusions and Lincoln MKZs with model years 2014 through 2018. (Pictured: A 2015 MKZ.)
Steering wheel issues:
Problem known in 2015
The documents Ford filed with the NHTSA said the company first learned of a Fusion steering wheel coming loose in June 2015. Officials opened an internal inquiry the next month. That inquiry found 137 reports of loose steering wheels but “did not identify any trend” and was closed without action, Ford said in the filing.
The NHTSA, for its part, was investigating complaints about Ford steering wheels coming loose or falling off as far back as last October.
The NHTSA report stated that three Fusion owners said the steering wheel fastening bolt came loose. According to the filing, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects received one report for each model year (2014-2016).
“Two of the complainants reported that the bolt attaching the wheel to the steering column had to be re-tightened at a repair facility,” the report stated. “The third complainant alleged that while attempting to turn into a gas station, the steering wheel became completely detached from the steering column.”
That third complainant was a Georgia woman who reported last Sept. 23 that the steering wheel of her 2015 Fusion fell into her lap while she was turning into a gas station.
Hyundai also issues recall
for steering wheel issues
The Ford recall is the second in the last month. In late February, Hyundai recalled about 44,000 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport crossovers, saying the steering wheel assembly could break.
Steering wheel problems
one of two recalls by Ford
Ford also announced a recall of 6,000 vehicles because of a risk of fire from a clutch pressure plate fracture. All of those recalled cars are manual transmission cars, which are not commonly sold. The affected models are 2013-16 Ford Focuses and 2013-15 Ford Fusions.
