Categories: Cars

Ford recalls 680,000 vehicles over seat belt defect

Michael Timmermann | March 22nd, 2017

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Ford is recalling more than 680,000 cars due to a seat belt defect that has led to at least two accidents and two injuries, the automaker announced.

Recall alert: Seat belt issue prompts Ford recall

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According to a news release, the recall involves certain 2013 to 2016 Ford Fusion and 2013 to 2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The issue with these cars is that the seat belts may not adequately hold people in a crash.

Here’s how Ford explained the defect:

Ford is issuing a safety recall for approximately 650,000 2013-16 Ford Fusion and 2013-15 Lincoln MKZ vehicles to insulate front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioners to prevent cable separation in a crash. In the affected vehicles, increased temperatures generated during deployment of the seat belt anchor pretensioner could cause pretensioner cables to separate, which may inadequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing risk of injury.

Ford said that the majority of the cars affected by the recall are in the United States, Canada or Mexico. They include the following vehicles:

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

As for the free repair, dealers will inject a conformal coating into the front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioner to protect the cables from heat so that they will not break.

To stay on top of recalls, enter your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at SaferCar.gov.