Ford Motor announced this week that it is recalling over 13,100 Ford Explorer, Taurus and Lincoln MKS models because the child safety locks on the rear doors may not work properly.

The recall affects vehicles released for the 2013 model year, and the malfunction could mean the child safety locks would turn off automatically.

This would allow doors to open from the inside by children according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

No accidents or injuries have been reported due to the malfunction, Ford said.

Ford said the problem was discovered early in December during a normal audit of a supplier, causing an investigation which lead to the decision for a recall.

Ford said the recall as voluntary, but like most companies once an automaker is aware of a safety issue it had no choice but to contact the NHTSA within five business days.

The affected vehicles were built at the automaker's Chicago Assembly Plant from Nov. 29, 2012 and Dec. 12, 2012.

The recall affects models sold mainly in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

"It is our standard process," Kelli Felker, a Ford spokeswoman, wrote in an e-mail according to The New York Times.

Ford said dealers will test and replace the rear child safety locks if necessary. The repair work will be done free of charge.

Related Articles:

Kyle Petty: Danica Patrick Will Never be A Race Car Driver, Calls Her a 'Marketing Machine' (VIDEO)

Tesla vs. Car Dealers: Elon Musk's Company Wins in North Carolina as White House Petition Reaches Deadline

Mazda Officially Unveils New 2014 Mazda3 Hatchback During Worldwide Event (VIDEO)

Ford F-150 Tremor Set to Become World's First EcoBoost-Powered Sport Truck (VIDEO)

Talking Toyota Robot Scheduled for First Conversation With Humans in Space (VIDEO)

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?