In brief: McDonald’s CEO Thompson steps down

NEW YORK – McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson is stepping down as the world’s biggest hamburger chain fights to hold onto customers and transform its image.

The company said Thompson, who has been CEO for 2 1/2 years, will be replaced by Chief Brand Officer Steve Easterbrook.

McDonald’s Corp., which has more than 35,000 locations around the world, has been struggling amid intensifying competition and changing attitudes about food. Earlier this month, the company reported falling earnings and sales and said it is making major changes this year to bring back customers and save money.

Thompson will leave March 1 after nearly 25 years with the company.

Vehicle recalls

• DETROIT – Nissan is recalling nearly 768,000 SUVs worldwide to fix faulty hood latches and electrical shorts that could cause fires.

The larger Nissan recall announced Wednesday covers more than 552,000 Rogue small SUVs from 2008 through 2013 and Rogue Select SUVs from 2014. Snow and salty water can seep through the driver’s side carpet to a wiring harness, causing electrical shorts. Nissan said there were reports of shorts but no fires or injuries.

Dealers will inspect the harness and replace it if necessary at no cost to owners. The second recall covers nearly 216,000 Nissan Pathfinders from 2013 and 2014, and Infiniti JX35s from 2013 and QX60s from 2014. The secondary hood latch could stay open when the hood is closed. If the main hood latch is released and the secondary latch fails, the hood could open while the SUVs are being driven.

Nissan says some hoods have been damaged but no crashes or injuries were reported. Dealers will fix the problem, at no cost to owners.

• DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford is recalling more than 221,000 cars and vans to fix problems with door latches and seat belts.

The biggest recall covers nearly 205,000 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS and Police Interceptor models in North America from the 2010 to 2013 model years. Ford says a door latch spring can become unseated, allowing the door to unlatch in a side-impact crash. The company says it knows of no injuries. Dealers will inspect the latches and replace door handles if needed.

The second recall covers just over 16,000 Transit Connect small vans in the U.S. from the 2014 model year. Seat belt fasteners can loosen, causing the belts to malfunction. Ford says the problem hasn’t caused any crashes or injuries. Dealers will replace and tighten the seat belt fasteners.

• TORRANCE, Calif. – Toyota is recalling 52,000 Avalon sedans because of a wiring problem that could cause a fire. The recall affects Avalons from the 2011 and 2012 model years.

Toyota says cargo in the trunk could move the wires connected to the audio system subwoofer. If the wires contact the metal frame of the subwoofer, they could short-circuit and cause the subwoofer to overheat. That increases the risk of a fire. Toyota says no injuries or fires have been linked to the problem, but it has received two reports of overheating. Toyota will notify owners, who can get their vehicles repaired for free at dealerships.