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Ford recalls 423,000 vehicles for power steering issue: What's on the list?

The latest recalls from Ford come amidst a difficult month for the carmaker. 

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Charles Krupa/AP/File
A sign at the Salem Ford dealership in Salem, N.H., is seen in 2011. Under pressure from U.S. safety regulators, Ford on Wednesday said it is recalling nearly 423,000 cars and SUVs in North America because the power-assisted steering can fail while they're being driven.

Ford announced Wednesday that it will recall nearly half a million vehicles for a power-steering problem that can make steering more difficult and increase the risk of a crash, according to the automaker.

The recall includes nearly 423,000 vehicles, including some 2011-2013 Ford Taurus and Flex models, some 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS and MKT models, some 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles, and some 2011 Mercury Milan models.

According to Ford, an “intermittent electrical connection” can cause power steering to cut out and default the steering to manual mode. This makes the vehicle more difficult to steer, especially at lower speeds, potentially increasing crash risk.

Ford knows of four minor accidents related to issue, but no injuries.

Owners of the affected vehicles should bring their cars or SUVs to a Ford dealer, who will perform one of two fixes: Updating software for the power-steering control module or replacing the steering gear.

In October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating complaints of power-steering failures on three Ford Motor Co. midsize car models, according to the Associated Press.

Ford is also is recalling 19,500 2015 Mustangs because of a temperature issue that could degrade the fuel tank, increasing the risk of a fire.

The recalls come amidst a difficult month for the American carmaker.

Earlier this month, Ford recalled nearly 520,000 2013-15 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans and Ford Edge SUVs built with steering gear motor attachment bolts that may fracture due to corrosion.

Ford also recalled 50,000 2014-2015 Ford Edge, Escape, Fiesta, and Transit Connect models because of fuel pump seizures that could cause the vehicle to not start or to stall while driving, and approximately 22,600 2015 Lincoln MKZ sedans with parking lights that are brighter than federal regulations allow. The May recalls also include some 100 2015 Ford F-150 pickup trucks built with missing or improperly installed heat shields, which could increase risk of fire.

And on April 29 and May 1, Ford recalled 156,000 vehicles for door latch problems.

Wednesday's recall brings Ford's recall total for the month well above 1 million, but still well below its record: In 1980, it recalled 21 million vehicles from 10 model years for a problem that caused some vehicles to slip from park into reverse, the biggest vehicle recall in history.

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