Rides : Ford recalls 140,000 new Focus models over wiper concern

The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has announced on its website that Ford is recalling 140,000 Focus models built between August 1, 2010 and October 18, 2011. The defect in question is a seal in the wiring harness connector to the passenger side wiper motor that may be missing.

If the seal is AWOL, water can build up in the connector, which could over time render the passenger-side wiper useless. And if that happens, visibility could of course be altered, resulting in a higher probability of a crash.

To fix the issue, affected Focus owners need to take their vehicles to a Ford dealer for a free inspection of the wiper connector. A technician will clean and seal any connector that needs it, and any wiper motor that no longer works will be replaced free of charge. 

 

Press Release

Vehicle Make / Model: FORD / FOCUS
Model Year(s): 2012
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY Mfr's Report Date: APR 02, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V149000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 140,310

Summary:
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 FOCUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 18, 2011. A SEAL IN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE MISSING.

Consequence:
WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE CONNECTOR, RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR, REDUCING VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND AS NECESSARY, CLEAN AND PROPERLY SEAL THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER MOTOR CONNECTOR. ANY INOPERATIVE WIPER MOTORS WILL BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. FORD EXPECTS TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Rides - 2012 Ford Focus: Torque Vectoring Control Standard

Google "Brake Differential Inside Line." Look at the list that comes up: Boxster, 911, 135, McLaren MP4-12C. Well, soon after I hit the go-live button on this blog, one more car will be listed, the 2012 Ford Focus except they're calling it Torque Vectoring Control.

That's right, the 2012 Ford Focus is joining the ranks of other carmakers who've figured out that subtle, single-wheel brake application can mimic the workings of an expensive limited slip differential (though the Boxster Spyder has both an LSD and a brake diff).

The system will automatically apply slight braking force to the inside wheel which will then send more power to the outside wheel during hard cornering. The result is a faster, more stable cornering process without any of that goofy inside-tire wheelspin that makes drivers look dumb. For novice or casual drivers, the system will add confidence and security, especially during difficult driving conditions.

Some of you have already read about, experienced or inferred the inherent problem with a brake diff: When very twisty roads are driven hard, the unit has to work fairly often and that can result in hot, less effective brakes. This is one thing if you've been using the pedal and felt the fade come on. It's another thing altogether when they're hot for no reason and then surprise! Fingers crossed for sturdy brakes.