WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently revealed a trio of recalls involving models from Nissan and Ford, initiatives that involve more than 78,000 units.

The largest of the three is connected with 2010 and 2011 Nissan Sentras, vehicles equipped with MR20 engines and manufactured from May 11 to 22 and July 8 through Oct. 25 of last year.

NHTSA officials indicated Nissan is bringing back 33,803 vehicles because the zinc coating applied to the terminal stud bolts on the battery cables was thicker than specifications.

As a result, the agency fears the condition can result in a voltage drop that may cause difficulty starting the vehicle and could damage the engine control module.

Furthermore, NHTSA thinks the issue can cause the engine to stall while the vehicle is in motion and it may not be possible to restart the engine after it stopped, increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan has instructed its franchised dealers to replace the positive battery and terminal free of charge. The OEM intends to begin to notify owners no later than Jan. 23.

In the meantime, NHTSA said potentially affected owners can contact Nissan at (800) 647-7261.

Second Nissan Recall

The next of the three recent recalls also involves a Nissan model, this time the 2011 Juke.

NHTSA explained 28,294 units manufactured between April 9, 2010 and May 12 potentially contain a turbocharger boost sensor that may separate from the air inlet tube due to a defective weld.

If the bracket comes off, federal officials contend the vehicle could stall while the engine is idling without warning, raising the potential for a crash.

Nissan told NHTSA it will begin to notify owners beginning Jan. 9. The automaker is asking its franchised dealers to check the lot number on the air inlet tube and replace it if necessary for free.

Similar to the Sentra recall, owners of these Juke models also can contact Nissan at (800) 647-7261.

Ford Truck Recall

The last of the recent NHTSA recalls involves the 2011 Ford F-150, as well as the 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 models.

Officials explained a total of 16,091 units manufactured between Sept. 9 and 22 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 114 dubbed “Theft Protection.”

NHTSA indicated these recalled trucks have a transmission that can be shifted out of the park position without pressing the brake pedal due to a brake shift interlock problem.

The agency fears the condition will allow the operator to inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without the brake pedal being depressed, increasing the chance of a crash or injury to a nearby pedestrian.

Ford told NHTSA it started to notify owners this week, asking them to take the units to franchised dealers for a free repair. Dealers have been instructed to inspect the brake shift interlock switch function and replace the switch if necessary.

Owners who still have questions can contact Ford at (866) 436-7332.