Ford Recalls 680K Vehicles Due to Seatbelt Defect

Of all the various safety features and technologies included in modern cars, basic seatbelts still offer some of the most essential and life-saving protection in the event of a collision. That is, as long as they work properly. For Ford, the uncertainty of the proper function of their vehicles’ seatbelts has prompted a massive recall of more than 680,000 vehicles sold globally.

The Michigan-based automaker announced that it would recall 680,872 vehicles – 602,729 of which were sold domestically – after discovering a defect with the vehicles’ front driver and passenger seatbelts which can cause them to fail. According to a statement released by Ford, the problem stems from faulty seatbelt anchor pretensioners which can overheat and cause a cable to snap during deployment, exposing vehicle occupants to serious injury. At least two injuries and two accidents have been connected to the issue.

The full list of recalled vehicles includes:

• 2013-15 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Nov. 2, 2012 to July 31, 2014
• 2013 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Aug. 13, 2012 to Nov. 1, 2012
• 2015-16 Fusion vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2014 to April 2, 2016
• 2015-16 Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Aug. 1, 2014 to Feb. 22, 2016
• 2014-15 Fusion vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, April 12, 2013 to July 31, 2014
• 2013-15 MKZ vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Nov. 14, 2012 to July 31, 2014

Owners of recalled vehicles will be notified of the issue and offered repairs at no cost. According to Ford, the issue can be fixed by injecting of a conformal coating into the front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioner to increase their resistance to heat.

In a separate initiative, the company also announced the recall of 27 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles to replace the second-row left-rear seat back frame due to improperly welded pivot pins. If not properly secured, the affected pivot pins may not retain cargo in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Injured by a Vehicle Defect? Call (888) 711-5947

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective Ford seatbelt, seatback, or any other defect, contact The Gilbert Law Group®, P.C. today. Our Denver auto defect attorneys have recovered more than $500 million for our injured clients and can provide the aggressive advocacy you need to maximize your potential compensation.