— Ford is recalling more than 48,000 vehicles in three recalls that involve all newer models.
Ford Transit
The majority of the recalled vehicles are 2015-2016 Ford Transit vans with side airbag problems. Ford says 38,000 of those U.S. and Canadian low-roof vans have side-curtain airbags that are positioned incorrectly, possibly on both sides of the van.
Although Ford isn't aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem, mispositioned airbags could fail to deploy correctly and fail to protect an occupant in a crash.
The automaker says the recalled vans were built in Kansas City between March 12, 2014, through March 18, 2016.
Ford hasn't said when any of these recalls will begin, but the automaker has said the Transit recall will require dealers to inspect and adjust the affected side-curtain airbags.
Lincoln MKC and Ford Explorer
About 5,500 Lincoln MKC and Ford Explorer SUVs have engine block heaters that can overheat and cause underhood fires. Ford says the 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC and 2016 Ford Explorer have problems with the combination of the engine block design and the specific block heater installed in the SUVs.
The automaker says the bad combination of the engine block and heater can cause the heater to catch on fire, something that has occurred at least two times in Canada. Fortunately the fires didn't cause any accidents or injuries.
According to Ford, about 3,129 of the model year 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC and 2,407 model year 2016 Ford Explorer SUVs are affected, with 3,993 located in Canada and 1,543 in the U.S.
The 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC SUVs were built in Kentucky November 25, 2013, through January 25, 2016, and the 2016 Ford Explorers were manufactured in Chicago between October 20, 2014, and January 28, 2016.
Ford doesn't know when the recall will begin but said its dealers will replace the engine block heater with an updated design and, if needed, the cord will be replaced.
Ford F-650 and F-750
The third recall has 4,800 model year 2015-2016 Ford F-650 and F-750 trucks recalled to replace parking brake cable connector clips. The automaker says the clips weren't made to specifications, something that could cause the clips to break. A broken clip can cause the parking brake to fail and the heavy truck to move on its own.
The recalled trucks were built January 28, 2015, through November 30, 2015. Ford says it's unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the parking brake problem.
As with the other recalls, the automaker doesn't know when the Ford F-650 and F-750 recall will begin.
Owners of any of the recalled vehicles can contact Ford at 866-436-7332.
