Ford recalls more than 1.3M Fusion, Lincoln MKZ cars globally for braking defect

WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 1.3 million older model sedans globally for front brake hoses that might rupture and leak brake fluid.

The recall covers certain 2013-18 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. It affects nearly 1.3 million vehicles in the U.S., about 66,000 in Canada and 18,000 in Mexico, Ford said.

If the front brake hose ruptures and leaks brake fluid, drivers "may experience an increase in pedal travel together with a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash," according to a recall report released Thursday.

Drivers also may notice a change in the brake pedal's "feel and travel," and the fluid warning indicator light may turn on, the report said.

Ford told NHTSA it was aware of one report of an accident with no mention of injury related to this condition.

The parts supplier is HC Querétaro, based in Mexico, according to the report.

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the front brake hoses.

Ford said it expected to notify dealers starting Monday. Owners will be notified starting April 17.

Ford also is recalling about 280,000 F-150 pickups globally from the 2021 model year, according to a separate recall report made public Thursday.

The recall covers about 222,000 vehicles in the U.S., 50,000 in Canada and 2,000 in Mexico, Ford said.

The windshield wiper arms on those vehicles may break, reducing visibility in certain conditions and increasing the risk of a crash. Potential indicators of the issue include erratic or slow wiper speed.

Ford told NHTSA that as of Jan. 25, it was aware of 576 global reports of inoperative or detached windshield wiper arms related to this condition.

Trico Componentes, a Mexico-based unit of global auto supplier Trico, makes the windshield wiper assembly, according to the report.

To fix the issue, dealers will inspect and replace wiper arms, as necessary.

Ford said it expected to notify dealers starting Monday. Owners will be notified starting March 27.

Spokesperson Maria Buczkowski said in an e-mail: “Issuing recalls is important to keeping our customers safe. We are reaching out to customers with more information on how to get their vehicle serviced. Please check your VIN at Ford.com to see whether your vehicle is impacted.”

So far this year, Ford has issued 12 recalls— the most of any automaker — affecting nearly 2 million vehicles, according to NHTSA data.