Ford Motor Co. is recalling certain model year 2013 and 2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid vehicles manufactured April 26, 2012, through Sept. 24, 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Due to a manufacturing error, the transmission range sensor may not function properly allowing the affected vehicles to be shifted out of the Park position without first applying the brake pedal. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection."
Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of park, allowing it to roll which may result in a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2014. Customers may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13C09.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
