Ford Motor Company  is issuing a safety recall for approximately 850,000 (actual 850,050) 2013-2014 Ford C-MAX, Fusion, Escape and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in North America for a potential issue with the restraints control module.

In the affected vehicles, the restraints control module may experience a short circuit. If a short circuit occurs, the airbag warning indicator will illuminate. Depending on the location of the short circuit, the deployable restraint systems (e.g., airbags, pretensioners, side curtains) may not function as intended in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The short circuit may also affect the function of other systems that use data from the restraints control module, including stability control. In these cases, the corresponding warning indicator lamps would also illuminate.

Ford Motor Company is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition. Dealers will replace the restraints control module at no cost to the customer.

Affected vehicles include certain 2013-2014 C-MAX vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, Jan. 19, 2012 to Nov. 21, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 3, 2012 to Aug. 24, 2013; certain 2013-2014 Escape vehicles built at Louisville Assembly Plant, Oct. 5, 2011 to Nov. 1, 2013 and certain 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, April 25, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013.

As of Sept. 24, 2014, we are aware of approximately 745,000 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories (actual 746,842), approximately 82,000 in Canada (actual 82,962) and approximately 20,000 in Mexico (actual 20,246).