Ford said the issue could result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving.

Ford shares traded about 1 percent higher in mid-afternoon trade on Thursday. (Click here to see what the stock is doing now.)

The first recall affects 915 thousand Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles in North America for a potential issue with the torque sensor within the steering column.

Ford is issuing safety recalls for nearly 1.4 million cars in North America.

The company is also recalling 195 thousand Ford Explorers in North America for a potential intermittent electrical connection in the steering gear that may result in the loss of electric power steering assist while driving.

Dealers will perform one of three service fixes, depending upon what diagnostic codes are shown when the vehicle is taken to the dealer.



The fixes will either update software for the power steering control module, replace the torque sensor or replace the steering column which includes upgraded power steering control module software.

In addition, the carmaker recalling about 200 thousand Taurus sedans in North America, affecting model years 2010 - 2014 for a corrosion issue.



It also recalled 82 thousand sedans because of floor mats that may interfere with the operation of the vehicles' gas pedals. The affected mats were put in 2006 - 2011 model year Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ sedans.



The automaker did not say how much the recall is expected to cost.

—CNBC.com