An investigation found that upon deployment, some seat belt pretensioners “can generate sparks.” Ford says it is aware of 17 reports of smoke or fire in the United States, and another six known incidents in Canada.
Ford is recalling about 2 million of its best-selling F-150 pickup trucks in North America due to an issue with the seat belt pretensioners in the front seat.
An investigation found that upon deployment, some seat belt pretensioners “can generate sparks.” Ford says it is aware of 17 reports of smoke or fire in the United States, and another six known incidents in Canada.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker reports in a Thursday morning, Sept. 6 news release that the recall affects some 2015-2018 Ford F-150 regular cab and SuperCrew cab models.
“When sufficient sparks are present, gases exhausted inside the lower portion of the B-pillar by the pretensioners may ignite,” the automaker says in the release.
“If this gas ignites, components behind the B-pillar such as insulation and carpet may subsequently catch fire.”
Pretensioners are what prepares seat belts to restrain passengers in the event of a crash. The Associated Press reports the fires in affected F-150s started in a support pillar that houses the seat belts.
The recall affects 2015-2018 Ford F-150 trucks built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant between March 12,2014 and Aug. 23, and at the Kansas City Assembly Plant between Aug. 20,2014 and Aug. 23 of this year.
Ford specifically says there are 1,619,112 affected F-150s in the U. S., 339,884 in Canada and another 36,780 in Mexico.
The automaker’s F-series has been America’s top-selling model for 41 consecutive years, and the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker sold more than 2 million F-150s between 2015 and 2018.
Once owners are notified, dealers will remove insulation from the B-pillar, wiring harness tape and will apply heat-resistant tape to the carpet and insulation areas. Dealers will also modify the interior panels on the affected regular cab models free of charge.
To search active recalls, use the NHTSA’s website to search your 17-character VIN at this link. VIN numbers are typically located under the driver’s side windshield, or along the inside of the doors behind the seat or under the steering wheel. To sign up for NHTSA safety alerts for a specific vehicle, sign up at this link.
