Wisconsin residents who own a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sedan may soon be receiving a recall notice in the mail. Ford has announced that approximately 7,000 MKZs built between April 2012 and Sept. 2013 and sold as 2013 or 2014 models should be returned to dealers to have a transmission defect corrected. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that some of the sedans could be shifted into gear without the brake pedal being pressed. This could result in the car lurching forward unexpectedly, which could possibly lead to a motor vehicle accident.
The source of the problem has been identified as a fault in the transmission’s range sensor, which has been blamed on an error made during the manufacturing process. The recall was listed on the SaferCar.gov website operated by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, or NHTSA. Drivers of MKZs use dashboard buttons rather than a traditional shift lever to engage the transmission.
Ford says that the problem is not mechanical in nature and that it will be remedied by updating the powertrain control module software. This update will be performed by Ford dealers at no cost to consumers. MKZ owners who wish to find out if their vehicles are affected have been encouraged to contact Ford using the recall number 13C09. The information is also available from NHTSA via their recall hotline.
Any effort to address automobile safety concerns should be welcomed, and this type of issue is likely to arise more often as vehicle electronic systems become more sophisticated. Manufacturing or repair errors can lead to unsafe vehicles on the nation’s roads, and a personal injury attorney may be able to bring a legal action on behalf of those who suffer injury, loss or damage as a result.
Source: Green Car Reports, “2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Recall: Transmission Sensor Issue“, John Voelcker, January 01, 2014
