Ford Recalling Pickups, Vans, SUVs Due to Risk of Bolt Fractures

Ford Motor Company is recalling nearly 120,000 pickup trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), due to a risk that bolts securing the seatbelt harnessing equipment may crack, which could result in passengers not being properly secured in the event of an auto accident. 

The Ford recall (PDF) impacts certain Ford F-150, Ford E-Series Vans, Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles, which may contain defective bolts used to secure the seat, seatback, seatbelt and seatbelt buckles.

According to Ford’s safety notice issued this week, the vehicles are equipped with improperly tempered anchoring bolts that may be prone to fracture, which could compromise the structural integrity of the seat and seatbelt system’s performance during a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injuries to occupants.

Included in the recall are 2014 through 2015 Ford Escape SUVs manufactured from May 11, 2014 through June 18, 2014 at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky; model year 2014 F-150 pickup trucks manufactured from May 9, 2014 through June 15, 2014 at the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan; model year 2014 E-Series vans manufactured between May 15, 2014 and June 2014 at the Ohio Assembly Plant; and model year 2015 Lincoln MKC SUVs manufactured between May 11, 2014 and June 18, 2014 at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.

The recall involves approximately 116,605 vehicles throughout North America, with an estimated 94,605 throughout the United States and federalized territories, 20,681 in Canada, and another 1,510 distributed for sale throughout Mexico.

Customers with recalled vehicles are being asked to visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website at www.safecar.gov to enter their vehicle identification number (VIN) and verify if their vehicle is included in the recall.

Owners of recalled Ford vehicles will be notified by written correspondence with instructions on how to schedule a free repair at their local dealer, where dealers will be instructed to inspect and replace the anchoring and attaching bolts. Customers with additional questions may contact Ford Motor Company at 866-436-7332 and reference the recall number 17S17.