Image of Ford Fusion courtesy of Ford.

Image of Ford Fusion courtesy of Ford.

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 602,739 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in the U.S. so dealers can address a problem involving seat belt anchor pretensioners, the automaker said.

The Ford Fusion cars are in the 2013-2016 model years, while the Lincoln MKZ cars are in the 2013-2015 model years. They were built at the Hermosillo and Flat Rock assembly plants.

In these vehicles, higher temperatures generated during deployment of the seat belt anchor pretensioner might cause the pretensioner cables to separate. As a result, occupants may not be adequately restrained during a crash.

To remedy the problem, dealers will insulate the front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pretensioners to prevent cable separation in a crash, Ford said in a released statement about the recall. A conformal coating will be injected into the seat belt anchor pretensioners to protect the cables from the extra heat. There will be no charge for this service.

Ford noted it is aware of two accidents and two injuries associated with this issue.

In addition to the vehicles recalled in the U.S., Ford is recalling 35,614 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ cars in Canada, 8,665 in Mexico, and 653 in federalized territories to fix the same problem. Ford’s reference number for this recall is 16S42.

In related news, Ford is also recalling 25 2017-model year Ford Fusion vehicles in the U.S. to replace the second-row left-rear seat back frame because it may have been built with improperly welded pivot pins. In these cars, the seat backs may not adequately retain cargo in a crash, increasing the risk of injury, Ford said. However, the company isn’t aware of any related accidents or injuries.

Ford is also recalling two Fusion cars in Canada for the same problem.

Dealers will resolve the issue by replacing the second-row left-rear seat back frame at no cost to the customer. Ford’s number for this recall is 16S43.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

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