Dive Brief:
- Ford Motor Co. issued a recall for 304,662 SUVs due to easy-entry second-row outer seat switches that may bind or stick, which can cause the seats to unlatch, fold or slide forward unexpectedly while driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The recall includes 2020-2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs. The vehicles may have an incorrectly installed seat switch bezel, which can lead to the switch becoming stuck in the down position. Customers may also not be able to latch/unlatch or fold the second-row seat.
- Dealers will inspect the seat switches and replace the bezel if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 23, but a second letter will be sent to customers once a remedy becomes available.
Dive Insight:
The “easy-entry” feature allows the seat to move forward for easier access to the third row. Ford offers both a manual and power option for the Explorer and Aviator SUV.
According to the NHTSA, the misalignment of the seat switch trim bezel is due to incorrect installation during assembly. An estimated 6% of the recalled vehicles are suspected of having faulty seat switch bezels.
Ford was made aware of the problem on April 29, after the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation contacted the company after receiving two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires alleging intermittent folding and sliding forward of second-row seats while driving on 2022 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The automaker’s Critical Concern Group opened an investigation into the issue the following day.
Ford’s investigation continued through May as its Critical Concern Group and engineering teams worked to better understand the cause and scope of the problem. The probe included a review of Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier processes and quality records to determine the exact number of vehicles with incorrectly installed seat switch bezels. The part was sourced from Engineered Plastic Components, an Ohio-based Tier 2 supplier.
Ford identified roughly 100 reports of unintended second row seat movement while driving due to stuck seat switch buttons on 2020-2025 Explorer and Aviator models, according to the NHTSA. As a result of its findings, Ford’s Field Review Committee approved the recall on June 6.
The recall follows another this month for up to 492,000 model-year 2016-2017 Explorer SUVs for loose exterior B-pillar door trim on the driver and front passenger side that may detach while driving, creating a safety risk.
Ford has been saddled with recalls since the start of the year for a host of vehicle issues. According to the NHTSA, the automaker has issued over 80 recalls since Jan. 1, potentially extending to over 4 million vehicles.
