Air bagsRecall 14V-597 · Ford and Lincoln vehicles
Ford Motor Company recall 14V-597 covers 746,842 Ford and Lincoln vehicles for a air bags problem, reported to NHTSA on September 26, 2014. The manufacturer's latest report (2015 Q4) shows 54% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 14V597000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
The risk
The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
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
54%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 22,338 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from October 5, 2011 to November 21, 2013. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.