Ford recalls 294,000 Expedition, Edge, Transit, Lincoln Navigator vehicles: What to know

Ford Motor Co. issued three recalls on four vehicles in North America on Tuesday, including the 2019 Expedition and 2019 Lincoln Navigator SUVs built in September.

The popular Ford and Lincoln SUVs have been recalled for an issue involving the same component that led Ford to recall more than 1.2 million Explorers in mid-June built between 2010-17.

Unlike the Explorer alert, this rapid recall for Expedition and Navigator comes before the company learning of any accidents or injury associated with the defect.

"In some of the affected vehicles, the rear toe link fastener may not have been properly tightened during assembly. An improperly secured fastener could allow the rear toe link to become disconnected while driving, which could increase the risk of injury or crash," Ford said in a release.

Ford issued the latest alert affecting just 18 vehicles in the U.S. built at the Kentucky Truck Plant, the company said.

The toe link was cited in a recall of the Explorers, which are built at the Chicago Assembly Plant. In that case, Ford cited suspension toe link fractures — if the suspension moves a lot, a rear suspension toe link can break and that can impact a driver's ability to control steering, the company said at the time.

Ford has issued more than a dozen recalls within the past five months, including 2020 model year vehicles.

More:Ford alert: F-150, Explorer, Expedition seats 'may not adequately restrain' in crash

More:Hand injuries in 2017 Ford Explorer lead to recall of 338,332 vehicles

More:Ford recall: 2020 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator could roll because of crucial missing part

Ford Transit recall

Also Tuesday, Ford issued a recall for select 2015-17 Transit vehicles where "the driveshaft flexible coupling may crack with increasing mileage, resulting in driveline noise and vibration. Continued driving with a cracked flexible coupling may cause separation of the driveshaft, resulting in a loss of motive power, or unintended vehicle movement in park without the parking brake applied. In addition, separation of the driveshaft can result in secondary damage to surrounding components, including brake and fuel lines."

Ford noted, "A driveshaft separation may increase the risk of injury or crash."

The company said it is unaware of any reports of accident or injury. The recall affects 293,558 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 22,960 in Canada and 2,744 in Mexico. These vehicles were built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant between Jan. 17, 2014, and June 15, 2017. 

Seat belt caution

A handful of 2019 Ford Edge vehicles were recalled Tuesday for "seat belt anchor separation" due to an "improperly crimped seat belt pretensioner anchor. In some of the affected vehicles, the driver’s side seat belt assembly may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury."

Ford said it is not aware of any reports of accident or injury associated with the issue. The company said the recall affects 366 vehicles in the U.S. and 65 in Canada built at Oakville Assembly Plant, Sept. 18-19, 2019.  

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard at 313-222-6512 orphoward@freepress.com.Follow her on Twitter@phoebesaid. Read more on Ford and sign up for our autos newsletter.