Ford Recalls 2013-2014 Vehicles Due to Weak Seatback Welds
Ford is recalling 2013-2014 Fusion, Escape, C-Max, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles because sub-standard welds may cause seatbacks to loosen, increasing injury risk in crashes.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (seatback assembly) that fails to meet federal safety standards and increases the risk of injury in crashes, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion, Ford Escape, Ford C-Max, and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The recall covers vehicles manufactured between August 15, 2012, and September 10, 2013, for the Fusion and MKZ; between June 5, 2012, and August 12, 2013, for the Escape; and between July 23, 2012, and May 28, 2013, for the C-Max.
The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. These affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving, which potentially increases the risk of injury in certain crashes. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- FORD, LINCOLN ESCAPE, MKZ, C-MAX, FUSION
- Brand
- FORD
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Category
- Vehicle — Seat Assembly
- Affected units
- 43,135
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (4)
- ESCAPE
- MKZ
- C-MAX
- FUSION
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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