Photo: Lincoln
The Ford Motor Company recently announced that a number of vehicles wearing the Blue Oval and Lincoln logos are subjected to a new recall operation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration pointed out that about 42,972 units of the Lincoln MKZ sedan, Ford Escape SUV, Fusion, C-Max Energi and Hybrid suffer from faulty weld joints.
Even if it doesn't sound like a big deal at first, those sub-standard welds may cause certain joints of the front seats to break, especially under heavy braking, which could prove fatal to the driver, front passenger or other traffic participants. Those joints attach the recliner mechanism of the seatback to the seat frame.
According to the NHTSA, the welds in question don't meet the strength requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems." Fortunately, no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of the faulty welds. The Blue Oval says that the process of notifying owners of the affected cars is already underway. Ford dealers will replace the seatback free of charge, with the first cars expected on May 19, 2014.
• 2013-2014 Ford Escape manufactured June 5, 2012 - August 12, 2013
• 2013-2014 Ford Fusion manufactured August 15, 2012 - September 10, 2013
• 2013-2014 Ford C-Max manufactured July 23, 2012 - May 28, 2013
Owners can contact Ford at 866-436-7332 for more info on this matter.
According to the NHTSA, the welds in question don't meet the strength requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems." Fortunately, no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of the faulty welds. The Blue Oval says that the process of notifying owners of the affected cars is already underway. Ford dealers will replace the seatback free of charge, with the first cars expected on May 19, 2014.
The recall involves the following model year vehicles:
• 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ manufactured August 15, 2012 - September 10, 2013• 2013-2014 Ford Escape manufactured June 5, 2012 - August 12, 2013
• 2013-2014 Ford Fusion manufactured August 15, 2012 - September 10, 2013
• 2013-2014 Ford C-Max manufactured July 23, 2012 - May 28, 2013
Owners can contact Ford at 866-436-7332 for more info on this matter.
Google News