Ford Motor Company is recalling almost 35,000 vehicles lacking proper seat reinforcement.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Nov. 14, 2018 they will recall, 34,946 2018 Lincoln Navigator and 2018 Ford Expedition vehicles built from March 14, 2018 to Aug. 18, 2018.
These vehicles lack reinforcement brackets in their second row center seats. Seats lacking correct reinforcement can’t properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing injury risk.
If you are an owner of a lemon Ford, contact Allen Stewart’s team of experienced lemon law attorneys today.
Ford’s Critical Concerns Review Group first examined a reported missing reinforcement bracket in certain Expedition and Navigator vehicles on Aug. 30, 2018. The group asked Ford engineers to determine how missing one of the standard two brackets affected safety.
Engineers conducted tests throughout September and October 2018. They conducted tests on both “rigidized body sheet metal structures” and actual body sheet metal structures and found seat tracks missing the reinforcement brackets can peel or tear in a crash situation.
The company approved a recall action on Nov. 5, 2018.
Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the second row center seat for any missing J-channel reinforcement brackets. Dealers will the center seat frame assembly as necessary for free. The recall is expected to begin Dec. 17, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S37. Ford owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.
Visit LemonLawUSA.org for more lemon law news.