In four separate actions, Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 1.4 million sedans and SUVs in North America, according to several news agencies including Reuters. About 1.18 million of those vehicles are in the U.S.

Two of the recalls are tied to a potential loss of power steering. One involves about 915,000 2008-2011 model-year Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs that might have a faulty torque sensor within the steering column. These vehicles were all manufactured from Aug. 18, 2006, through Sept. 11, 2010.

Ford dealers will remedy the problem by either updating software for the power steering control module and instrument cluster module, replacing the torque sensor, or replacing the steering column that includes upgraded control module software.

The other recall related to power steering loss involves 196,000 2011-2013 model-year Ford Explorer SUVs that might have a faulty electrical connection in the steering gear. Ford will address this problem through a software update or new equipment. The vehicles were all manufactured from May 17, 2010, through Feb. 28, 2012.

A third recall covers 2010-2014 Ford Taurus sedans that might have damaged license plate lamps -- the result of corrosion arising from exposure to road salt. This corrosion damage could lead to an electrical short circuit, posing a fire risk. The Taurus vehicles in this recall were all manufactured from Nov. 24, 2008, through Feb. 28, 2014. The recall only affects vehicles sold in or registered in states that use road salt for snow removal efforts.

The fourth recall involves 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ sedans equipped with all-weather floor mats. These mats are at risk of interfering with the accelerator pedal if they’re installed improperly. Ford and Lincoln dealers sold these floor mats.