Ford Recalls The Fusion And Focus For Transmission Leaks That Can Lead To Fire

Unintended Consequences

When automakers issue recalls, they are usually seen as bad, which is understandable, given that when you buy a car, you expect everything to be "ironed out" by the brand, with no lingering quality issues. However, since we don't live in a perfect world, recalls have become commonplace, ranging from minor issues to major ones.

Any recall is a hassle for owners, but it gets worse if what seems like a small issue can lead to something worse if not corrected, as was the case with Ford's most recent recall advisory.

Focus and Fusion Transmission Issue

The recall was issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which covered the 2015-2018 model-year Ford Focus and the 2013-2016 model-year Ford Fusion. These cars are said to have an issue pertaining to the manual transmission fitted to the 1.0L Fox GTDI engines. The recall report says that these transmissions are prone to increased clutch slip, which overheats the clutch and might cause the plate to fracture. It can also damage the clutch cover and transmission housing, leading to a potential leak of the fluid itself.

A more in-depth description of the issue was also included in the report: "Repeated high-energy clutch slip input can lead to premature clutch lining wear, reducing the mechanical properties of pressure plate material. Repeated cyclic heating and cooling events may cause cracks around the outer edge of the pressure plate." According to NHTSA, indicators of slipping clutches that owners should watch for include clutch odor, smoke, and reduced vehicle performance.

100% Defect

What makes this recall report even more significant is that the NHTSA is listing it as a possible safety risk. It says in the report that Ford stated that the leaking of the transmission fluid "in the presence of an ignition source can lead to the risk of an engine compartment fire.”

The total number of affected vehicles is a sizeable 5,252 units; the breakdown is 1,489 Fusions and 3,763 Focus units. The report also says that the affected vehicles are 100% likely to have the defect, making it crucial for owners of these models to seek proper repairs or remedies from accredited dealerships.

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