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Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ Steering Wheel Detachment

NHTSA campaign 18V167000 · Reported Mar 12, 2018 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	18V167000
Reported to NHTSA	Mar 12, 2018
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Part affected	Steering: Steering Wheel/handle BAR
Vehicles covered	2 model/year combinations, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

Some Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles have a bolt that holds the steering wheel in place. This bolt may loosen over time, which can allow the steering wheel to come loose and detach from the steering column while the vehicle is being driven.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule a dealer visit; the dealer will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt.
3. The repair is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 18V167000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (2)

2018 Ford Fusion
2018 Lincoln MKZ

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford Steering Recalls Cover Lockups, Loose Bolts, and Unintended Movement · all 13 Ford recalls in this area

Other Ford Fusion recalls

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Jun 27, 2025Ford and Lincoln rearview cameras may show blank imagemedium
Jun 23, 2023Ford Fusion Plug-In Hybrid Battery Module Fire Riskcritical
Mar 10, 2023Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKZ Front Brake Hoses Can Leakhigh

Official notice

Component: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Safety risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.