Ford Recalls 33,200 Fusion, Explorer, Milan and Mountaineer

American manufacturer Ford announced today it will recall 33,256 vehicles to fix an issue with the front seat manual recliners. The models affected are 2010 Ford Fusion, 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Track, 2010 Mercury Milan and 2010 Mercury Mountaineer, manufactured in between December 15, 2009 and February 3, 2010.

The models in question, equipped with front seat manual recliners, "fail to comply with the requirements if Federal Motor vehicle safety standard 202." This means the recliner gear plate teeth may be out of dimension specification, a trait which may result in "limited pawl top gear plate tooth engagement."

Big words which mean a simple thing: in the event of the crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of an injury to the occupants.

According to Ford, the recall will begin on or before April 30. The dealers will replace the manual recliners for both manual and power seats, to be safe. As usual, Ford's recall and the fix come at no extra cost for the owner.

This new issue marks the second time in less than three months when the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are being recalled. This February, Ford announced the recall of the hybrid versions of the two vehicles, to fix a brake malfunction.

The total number of vehicles affected with this problem is 18,000, all manufactured before October 17, 2009. Ford says the defect does not affect the braking abilities and the vehicle is still able to come to a halt.