Ford Recalls Half-Million F150s, SUVs To Repair Seat Problem

Ford has recalled half-a-million light trucks (F150s) and SUVs to check out and possibly fix a problem with a manual seat recliner. You will be notified by the automaker when you can bring your vehicle in for a check.

Ford has recalled more than half-a-million light trucks and sports utility vehicles to fix a seat problem. The recall covers:

Recall Covers Light Trucks, SUVs

• 2018-20 Ford F-150 vehicles built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant from Sept. 14, 2018, to Aug. 7, 2019; the Kansas City Assembly Plant from Sept. 11, 2018 to Aug. 2, 2019.
• 2019-20 Ford F-Series Super Duty vehicles built at the Kentucky Assembly Plant from Sept. 9, 2018, to July 22, 2019; Ohio Assembly Plant from Sept. 11, 2018 to July 17, 2019.
• 2018-19 Ford Explorers built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Sept. 9, 2018, to March 3, 2019.
• 2019-20 Ford Expeditions built at the Kentucky Assembly Plant from Oct. 16, 2018, to July 24, 2019.
• 2020 Ford Explorers built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Nov. 21, 2018 to Aug. 21, 2019.
• 2020 Lincoln Aviators built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from April 12, 2019, to July 16, 2019.

According to Ford, the number of vehicles affected includes 483,325 in the United States; 58,712 in Canada, and 8,149 in Mexico. The recalled vehicles may not have a correctly assembled seat recliner mechanism. The suspect recliner mechanisms may lack a third pawl which can affect seat safety. The seat may not restrain an occupant in a crash, risking injury for the inadequately restrained occupant in a collision. The affected vehicles have manual reclining mechanism in the driver or driver and front passenger seats.

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Dealers will inspect the seats and will replace the problematic seat structures at no cost. Ford expects, however, that most vehicles will pass the dealer inspection. The dealership will complete the work free of charge.

Further Information Can Be Obtained

For more information, contact Ford Customer Service at 800-392-3673. The internal Ford recall designation is 19C07. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 888-327-4236. Or you can visit the NHTSA website, www.safecar.gov, where you can enter the Vehicle Identification Number of your vehicle to see if it included in this recall.

This callback marks the second safety recall for some 2020 Explorers and Aviators. Ford recalled the SUVs due to a missing cover on the parking brake release. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require that the manual brake cover be removable only with a tool. Because the vehicles may also be in factory mode warning alerts and chimes may be disabled Ford recalled both vehicles due to a missing cover that has to do with the parking brake release, and there are no PRNDL gear positions.

Marc Stern has been an automotive writer/columnist/editor/professional for more than 45 years. He began writing a weekly column “You Auto Know” in 1971 and continued writing it for 32 years. Now, semi-retired, Marc spends his time finding pieces for Torque News as the Volkswagen – and subsidiary – reporter, as well as pieces on pickups and SUVs. He has also been known to write a race report or two. Also, he covers more generalized auto news pieces as well. Marc has also written for the Examiner.com, Fixya.com, Gearheads.org and others, including some smallish publications -- Popular Mechanics, Mechanics Illustrated, AutoWeek, Automotive News, and Automotive Age. You can follow Marc on Facebook and Twitter.