FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 LINCOLN MKT VEHICLES WITH A TOWN CAR PACKAGE MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 6, 2012, THROUGH APRIL 3, 2012, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE ONLY TO BODY BUILDERS FOR UPFITTING AS HEARSE OR LIVERY/LIMOUSINE VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED WITH REAR BRAKE ROTOR BOLTS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED ALLOWING THE HEAD TO PROTRUDE ABOVE THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE.
Safety Risk
THE RAISED BOLT HEAD COULD LEAD TO TORQUE LOSS IN THE WHEEL JOINT, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
ALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN QUARANTINED AT THE COACH BUILDERS FACILITIES AND WILL BE REPAIRED BEFORE DELIVERY TO OWNERS. NOTICES WERE MAILED TO THE COACH BUILDERS ON MAY 24, 2012. FOR MORE INFORMATION, OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A PROBLEM IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE CREATION OF A CRACK WHERE THE BRAKE DISC AND THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM MEET. FURTHER CRACKING OF THE ROTOR COULD OCCUR DUE TO BRAKING TORQUE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKE DRUM, CONNECTED TO THE WHEEL HUB, WOULD COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE DISC.
Safety Risk
IF THIS HAPPENED, THE WHEEL WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN, BUT THE DISC WOULD STOP, AND THERE WOULD BE NO BRAKING CAPACITY AT THAT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR BRAKE ROTORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR, WHEN EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, CAN DEVELOP STRESS FRACTURES IF THE LUG NUTS ARE TIGHTENED WITH EXCESSIVE TORQUE.
Safety Risk
THE DISC ROTOR COULD BREAK (WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE WHEEL), RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION ON THAT WHEEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STEEL WHEELS, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND STEEL WHEELS WITH NEW DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND NEW ALUMINUM WHEELS. IN ADDITION A CAUTION LABEL THAT READS, "USE NEW GENUINE TOYOTA ALUMINUM WHEELS." WILL BE AFFIXED. VEHICLES ALREADY EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS WILL ONLY REQUIRE CAUTION LABEL INSTALLATION.