Front assembly: reclinerRecall 14V-164 · Ford and Lincoln vehicles
Ford Motor Company recall 14V-164 covers 43,135 Ford and Lincoln vehicles for a front assembly: recliner problem, reported to NHTSA on April 2, 2014. The manufacturer's latest report (2015 Q3) shows 77% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 14V164000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured August 15, 2012, through September 10, 2013, 2013-2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured June 5, 2012, through August 12, 2013, and 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured from July 23, 2012, through May 28, 2013. The driver and passenger seatback assemblies may have been produced with sub-standard weld joints used to attach the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat frame. The affected seat backs may have insufficient strength to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems."
The risk
The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seatback, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14C03.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
77%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 676 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from June 5, 2012 to September 10, 2013. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.