The Ford Motor Company has issued a recall of 1,280,726 units of Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZs. The company says there’s an issue with the front brake hoses used in the vehicles.

The recall affects around 1.2 million Ford Fusion models. There are also around 113,000 Lincoln MKZ sedans facing the same issue. The models were from the 2013 to 2018 manufacturing years.

There’s a possibility that the front hose might rupture. It could happen due to regular wear and tear. This occurs due to the brake hose’s interaction with the steering hardware. It could result in a brake fluid leak.

Brake fluid leaks can increase brake pedal travel. Drivers will notice that the pedals will depress further when they brake. It also lengthens the distance a vehicle needs to stop. The reduced deceleration rate can increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Drivers of affected vehicles might see the brake fluid warning light. It will activate on the dashboard. This can signal a brake fluid leak.

The company assures drivers that there won’t be a 100% brake failure. The vehicles are also designed with redundancy. There are two isolated circuits in case of a ruptured hose.

What are Your Options?

An NHTSA document stated about two percent of the vehicles will have a defective brake hose.

Vehicle owners are now advised to visit their nearest Ford dealer. They will replace the car’s front brake hoses for free.

The company is set to mail notification letters by April 17, 2023. The initial letters will be about the safety risks. A second letter is also expected once the needed vehicle parts become available.

Car owners can also call Ford’s customer service hotline at (866) 436-7332. The number for this recall is 23S12.