Ford Announces Recalls on 2015 Fusion and MKZ, 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs

Ford Motor Co. announced it is recalling a total of 103,374 units of its Fusion and Lincoln MKZ sedans due to faulty seat belt components. The breakdown for each model, however, is not yet available.

The mass recall was caused by a defect with the seat belt pretensioner, affecting 2015 Fusion and MKZ cars with build dates between August 1, 2014 and January 30, 2015.

According to the Blue Oval, the problem with the pretensioner may cause degradation when the seatbelt anchor pretensioner is deployed. A component in the seat belt assembly may not have enough strength to restrain the driver or passengers during a crash and increases the risk of injury.

The automaker, however, has stated it has found a way to fix the problem. Owners of the 2015 Fusion and MKZ sedans are advised to bring their cars to a dealer where a technician will apply a protective coating on a component cable connected to the pretensioner when it deploys during a crash.

Additionally, the brand has also issued a safety recall for the 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs which are reportedly missing a manual park release cover. Although considered a minor issue, the missing component is essential in preventing the vehicle from moving while parked.

According to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, the manual park release cover must be in place and made removable only with the use of a tool. If the cover is not installed, there is a risk for the
manual park release lever to be activated, resulting in unintended movement, especially if the electronic park brake is not applied.

A total of 14,135 vehicles in United States and Canada are affected by the recall. All of which were built at the Chicago Assembly Plant and includes the 2020 Ford Explorer built from March 27, 2019 to July 24, 2019 and 2020 Lincoln Aviator built from April 10, 2019 to July 24, 2019.