Ford is recalling 7,153 Lincoln MKZ sedans for faulty transmission sensors that can lock the vehicle in park, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The 2013 and 2014 MKZ Hybrid has a transmission sensor that may read the gear selection incorrectly as neutral when it is really in park and let the driver engage the drive position without stepping on the brake. However, the software will recognize the fault and shift the transmission back into park and apply the handbrake. A warning light will illuminate along with the message “Shift system fault, Service required.”
Nissan NV200
Ford said it received warranty claims and several vehicles with this condition over the past few months. The MKZ is all-new for 2013 and was initially delayed for several months after quality problems at the factory. There have been no related injuries or rollaways due to the problem, Ford said. Only Hybrid models are affected.
Owners should have already received notification to take their cars to a Lincoln dealer, which will update the transmission software.
In November, Ford recalled 139,917 Escape SUVs in the U.S. to fix engine problems that could result in fires under the hood. The automaker was also fined $17.35 million by the NHTSA in August for delaying a recall on older Escape models.
Volvo received five owner reports in the U.S. from February through November citing engine noise and little or no oil in the engine. Volvo said the oil sensors that would normally flash an alert on the instrument panel were not activated and therefore the drivers did not know their engines were low on oil. In at least two of the cases, Volvo mechanics forgot to refill the engine with oil after a service. In all cases, the engine was replaced due to excessive damage. Only 5-cylinder engines are affected, Volvo said.