DEARBORN (dpa-AFX) - Ford Motor Co. (F) has announced a safety recall for about 680,000 vehicles, mainly in North America, to fix faulty seat belts that may not hold people in the event of a crash.
The recall, primarily for mid-size sedans, includes about 650,000 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured between 2013 and 2016, and Lincoln MKZ produced between 2013 and 2015. It also includes a small amount of Ford Mondeo sedans produced between 2015 and 2016.
The recall seeks to insulate front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pre-tensioners to prevent cable separation in a crash. The pre-tensioners tighten seat belts when they sense that the car is stopping.
Ford noted that in the affected vehicles, heat generated when the seat belt anchor pre-tensioners deploy could cause the pre-tensioner cables to separate. This may inadequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing risk of injury.
Ford said it is aware of two accidents and two injuries associated with this issue.
The automaker noted that approximately 680,872 vehicles are affected, including 602,739 vehicles in the U.S., 35,614 in Canada, 8,665 in Mexico and 653 in federalized territories.
Dealers will inject a conformal coating into the front driver and passenger seat belt anchor pre-tensioner to protect the cables from heat generated during deployment, at no cost to the customer.
Ford also announced another safety recall for about 27 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles to replace the second-row left-rear seat back frame that may have been built with improperly welded pivot pins.
In the affected vehicles, seat backs with pivot pins that were improperly welded may not adequately retain cargo in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. However, Ford said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Dealers will replace the second-row left-rear seat back frame at no cost to the customer, Ford noted.
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