Ford Recalls Target Seat, Steering Hazards

Ford Motor Co. is calling back 550,200 SUVs and fullsize pickup trucks in North America to check for faulty seatback mechanisms that could pose a safety threat in a crash.

The larger campaign involves 550,200 of the company’s 2018-2020 model F-150 pickups, 2018-2020 model Explorer midsize SUVs, 2020 model Lincoln Aviator midsize SUVs and 2019-2020 large Expedition SUVs.

Ford says the initiative applies only to vehicles equipped with manually adjustable seatbacks. Dealers will inspect the recliner mechanism and replace the seat structure if necessary.

Separately, Ford is recalling 98,800 cars and crossover vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to check for a corrosion problem that could cause the power steering to fail.

The callback applies only to vehicles located in regions where road salt is used during the winter. For says the salt could corrode steering system bolts and allow the electric steering motor to come loose. This would cause a loss of power steering, which would make steering more difficult, especially at low speeds.

Dealers will replace the bolts and protect them with a wax sealer. If bolts are missing, the entire steering gear system will be replaced.