Ford Recalls 400,000 Transit Vans - And Seven SUVs

Ford has issued three recalls in the North American market, the largest of which covers over 400,000 vehicles.

Classified as a safety recall, the larger campaign affects certain late-model Transit vans... but only those that have racked up considerable mileage.

In those units, Dearborn's concerned that the driveshaft's flexible coupling could crack, which could result in all sorts of trouble. For starters, the vehicle would be left without power. For another, it could roll away when parked without the parking brake engaged. The lose driveshaft could also damage other components, like the brakes and fuel line.

Not good, in other words, but fortunately it only affects certain models, namely those from the 2015-17 model years, in medium, long, or extended wheelbase and chassis cabs on medium wheelbases. Of those, only vehicles that have covered over 30,000 miles or more are deemed to be at risk, so only those will need to have the couplings replaced. Other vans can be held off until they reach that milestone.

It's a testament to just how many of these vans Ford sells, though, that the number still tops 400k units: 402,462 across North America, to be specific, including 370,630 in the US, another 2,361 in federalized territories, 3,217 in Mexico and 26,254 in Canada.

At the same time, the Blue Oval automaker has also announced two compliance recalls that are far smaller in scope. Four 2017 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, the law-enforcement version of the Explorer, are being called in to repair the attachment studs on the second-row seats, and another three 2016 Escapes are being brought in to replace the driver's knee airbag module.