The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·19V633000·Announced 2019-08-28

Ford Recalls 639,137 Vehicles for Defective Seat Back Recliner Mechanisms

Ford is recalling 639,137 vehicles because a missing part in the seat back recliner mechanism may reduce strength and fail to restrain occupants in a crash.

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 where the seat back may fail to restrain occupants in a crash, increasing the risk of injury, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for structural vehicle defects.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150, 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, 2020 Escape, and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The recall affects 639,137 vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger manual front seat back recliner mechanisms, as well as certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms.

The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. This defect causes the vehicles to fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints," and 207, "Seating Systems." A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
FORD, LINCOLN F-150, ESCAPE, F-550, EXPLORER
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — Seating Systems
Hazard
Affected units
639,137

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 (10)

  • F-150
  • ESCAPE
  • F-550
  • EXPLORER
  • AVIATOR
  • F-450
  • redundant F-250
  • redundant F-350
  • EXPEDITION
  • redundant F-250

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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