By Nora Naughton Twitter
DEARBORN, Mich. (June 25, 2014) — Ford Motor Co. expanded a recall of 2014 F-150 pickups to 5,675 trucks to inspect and repair a possible glitch with the electronic power assisted steering gear.
The recall initially covered 372 vehicles.
Ford said the affected steering gears are equipped with a motor position sensor magnet that was incorrectly installed by a supplier.
The auto maker reported the matter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 10, Ford spokeswoman Elena Cortesi said. On June 17, the unidentified supplier notified Ford of additional faulty steering gears.
An incorrectly installed gear motor position sensor magnet may impair steering, including the loss of steering control, which could increase the risk of a crash, Ford said.
Ford said today it has delivered 260 of the 5,675 F-150s covered by the recall, and the rest are at dealerships or in transit to dealers.
Ms. Cortesi said the company has stopped deliveries of the recalled F-150s until the problem is fixed and instructed dealers to stop delivering or conducting test drives in any of the affected trucks.
The F-150 is Ford's top-selling light vehicle in the U.S.
Ford has advised affected owners to take their trucks to dealers immediately for the required repair.
No injuries related to the recall have been reported, the company said.
This report appeared on the website of Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.