The recall, which is expected to cost $180m (£140m), affects Ford Explorers made in the US firm's Chicago plant between 2010 and 2017.

Ford said one customer had reported hitting a kerb when part of the the rear suspension fractured.

The company said it was not aware of any injuries caused by the problem.

Ford said vehicles that were exposed to "frequent full rear suspension articulation" might "experience a fractured rear suspension toe link".

"A fracture of a rear toe link significantly diminishes steering control, increasing the risk of a crash," it added and when one customer's toe link broke they reported hitting the kerb.

In addition to the 1.2 million vehicles in the US, about 28,000 vehicles in Canada were affected and one in Mexico.

Ford dealers will remove and replace left and right and rear suspension toe links and align the rear suspension.

Separately Ford said it was recalling about 123,000 F-150 vehicles because of a transmission calibration issue. However, it said it was not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to the issue.

In addition, in Canada it has recalled 12,000 2010-17 Ford Taurus, 2009-17 Ford Flex, 2009-15 Lincoln MKS and 2010-17 Lincoln MKT vehicles, because of a a rear suspension toe link fracture.

The company said it was aware of one report of a "crash with minor injuries related to this condition".

In 2014 Ford recalled 1.1 million Explorers in North America because they could suffer a loss of power steering.