Ford Motor Company will recall almost 300 SUVs containing potentially dangerous airbag covers.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based manufacturer sent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) a recall report on Nov. 14, 2018 stating they will recall 268 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles built between Oct. 11 and Oct. 19, 2018.
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The affected vehicles contain plastic airbag covers that were improperly injection-molded. These covers may separate during airbag deployment, increasing injury risk in a crash situation.
Airbag manufacturer Autoliv Automotive Safety Products of Ogden, Utah notified Ford on Sept. 27, 2018 about the airbag cover problem. A lot acceptance test found an “anomaly,” prompting Autoliv to contain suspect parts from that lot and begin an investigation.
That investigation found knit lines near the airbag cover’s tear seam. Autoliv’s sub-tier suppliers did not notify them of adjustments to their cover injection-molding processes, resulting in improper knit line formation. The investigation also found vehicles already sold contained affected airbag covers.
Ford initiated a safety recall on Nov. 5, 2018.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S38. 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.