Ford issues 4 recalls affecting 1.4M vehicles

DETROIT (KABC) -- Ford is recalling 1.4 million SUVS and cars in North America for their steering, rust and floor mat issues.

The latest recalls come after a heightened focus on automobile safety by Congress, the Justice Department and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The following vehicles were included in the recall:

• 915,000 Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners from 2008 through 2011 model years and built between Aug. 18, 2006 and Sept. 11, 2010 have a faulty torque sensor within the steering column, which could cause loss of power-assisted steering.
• 196,000 Ford Explorer SUVs from 2011 through 2013 model years have an electrical problem in their steering gears, which can knock out power steering.
• More than 196,600 Taurus sedans from 2010 through 2014 model years can rust around the license plate light, short circuit and cause a fire.
• About 82,500 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln MKZ cars from the 2006 through 2011 model years have floor mats that can come in contact with the gas pedal if improperly installed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.