Ford announced two recalls today for certain late-model F-150, Explorer and Super Duty vehicles due to seating and door handle cover defects.
The first recall affects roughly 2,500 2017 F-150, Super Duty and Explorer vehicles which may have an inadequate weld between the driver seat back and the manually operated seat back recliner mechanism.
In the affected vehicles, Ford says a driver seat back frame that has been improperly welded may fail to comply with certain federal motor vehicle safety standards, and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Affected vehicles are:
- 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Dearborn Assembly Plant, Dec. 11, 2016 to Dec. 16, 2016
- 2017 Ford F-150 vehicles built at Kansas City Assembly Plant, Dec. 8, 2016 to Dec. 9, 2016
- 2017 Ford Explorer vehicles built at Chicago Assembly Plant, Dec. 9, 2016 to Dec. 10, 2016
- 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles built at Kentucky Truck Plant, Dec. 19, 2016 to Jan. 19, 2017
- 2017 Ford Super Duty vehicles built at Ohio Assembly Plant, Dec. 23, 2016 to Jan. 19, 2017
The recall involves approximately 2,418 vehicles in North America, including 2,195 in the United States, nine in federalized territories, 39 in Mexico and 175 in Canada.
The Ford reference number for this recall is 17C08. Dealers will inspect and replace the driver seat back frame as necessary at no cost to the customer.
2017 Ford F-150 XLTThe second recall is for certain 2015-17 F-150s and 2017 F-250 to F-550 vehicles equipped with Ford aftermarket chrome exterior door handle covers that were purchased as a dealer accessory.
In the affected vehicles, an exterior door handle fitted with an aftermarket chrome cover may not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards, and may experience inertial loads that could cause it to unlatch during a side impact, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Ford has identified 551 kits sold through Ford dealerships. Dealers will be instructed to search their records and contact customers who purchased these Ford Licensed Accessory covers. Ford also plans to publish an awareness message that will be available to dealer service department personnel should an affected vehicle be brought to the dealer for unrelated service.
The recall involves approximately 551 vehicles in North America, including 247 in the United States and 304 in Canada. The Ford reference number for this recall is 17C09.
Dealers will remove the covers from affected units and reimburse customers for the cost of the covers and labor.
