CHICAGO - Ford Motor Company is recalling 140,312 of its 2012 Ford Focus models in the United States due to a potential issue with the car's windshield wiper, US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Monday.

According to NHTSA filings, some US Ford Focus vehicles may have a missing component in the windshield wiper motor that would normally keep water out. Without the safeguard, the electric connection could become faulty and cause the passenger-side wiper to fail, which could potentially lead to a crash due to limited visibility.

Ford said that there have currently been no reported accidents due to the windshield issue. The missing seal in the wiper will be addressed and replaced starting the week of May 21, when Ford will notify Focus owners.