680,872 vehicles. That’s how many Fusions, MKZs, and Mondeos are due a visit to the dealers over an issue. As if that wasn’t enough, a handful of 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles were recalled too.
In the first of two campaigns announced today, Ford explains why a humongous number of mid-size sedans need to be fixed in due time as follows: “to insulate front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioners to prevent cable separation in a crash.”
How is that possible? As it happens, the temperature generated when the pretensioner deploys is labeled as the cause as to why the cables are prone to separate. In the event of a crash, this condition equals inadequate occupant protection for the front passengers.
Ford is aware of two accidents and two injuries associated with the condition. The first of the three affected nameplates is the 2013 to 2016 Ford Fusion, vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly and at Flat Rock Assembly from August 13, 2012 through April 2, 2016. Then there’s the 2013 to 2015 Lincoln MKZ. More specifically, vehicles built between November 12, 2012 and July 31, 2014. As for the Mondeo, affected vehicles include 2015 and 2016 models made at the Valencia plant between August 5, 2014 and July 31, 2016.
Authorized dealerships were instructed by FoMoCo to fix the defect by injecting “a conformal coating into the front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioner.” The manufacturer’s number for this recall in the United States is 16S42, with more information available on Ford’s website.
For the second campaign, the Blue Oval eyed 27 units of the 2017 Fusion. Yes, the facelifted Fusion. Affected cars need to have their second-row left-rear seat back frame replace because Ford might’ve built them with “improperly welded pivot pins.” Happily, however, the manufacturer isn’t aware of any crashes or injuries connected to this problem. If you own a 2017 Fusion built between September 27 and September 28, 2017, you might want to give your nearest dealer a call and inquire about recall 16S43.
How is that possible? As it happens, the temperature generated when the pretensioner deploys is labeled as the cause as to why the cables are prone to separate. In the event of a crash, this condition equals inadequate occupant protection for the front passengers.
Ford is aware of two accidents and two injuries associated with the condition. The first of the three affected nameplates is the 2013 to 2016 Ford Fusion, vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly and at Flat Rock Assembly from August 13, 2012 through April 2, 2016. Then there’s the 2013 to 2015 Lincoln MKZ. More specifically, vehicles built between November 12, 2012 and July 31, 2014. As for the Mondeo, affected vehicles include 2015 and 2016 models made at the Valencia plant between August 5, 2014 and July 31, 2016.
Authorized dealerships were instructed by FoMoCo to fix the defect by injecting “a conformal coating into the front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioner.” The manufacturer’s number for this recall in the United States is 16S42, with more information available on Ford’s website.
For the second campaign, the Blue Oval eyed 27 units of the 2017 Fusion. Yes, the facelifted Fusion. Affected cars need to have their second-row left-rear seat back frame replace because Ford might’ve built them with “improperly welded pivot pins.” Happily, however, the manufacturer isn’t aware of any crashes or injuries connected to this problem. If you own a 2017 Fusion built between September 27 and September 28, 2017, you might want to give your nearest dealer a call and inquire about recall 16S43.