Ford recalls F-150s over seat belts that can start fires
DETROIT Ford is recalling about two million F-150 pickup trucks in North America, including nearly 340,000 in Canada, because the seat belts can spark and cause fires when they deploy during a crash.
The recall of F-150 pickup trucks from the 2015 through 2018 model years comes about one month after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating fires, including three that destroyed trucks.
Ford said Thursday that it has reports of smoke or fire in 17 U.S. trucks and six Canadian trucks, but it’s not aware of any injuries.
According to Ford, seat belt pretensioners can generate excessive sparks when they tighten before a crash. That can ignite gases inside a support pillar between the front and rear seats, causing insulation and carpet to catch fire.
The affected Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab trucks were built between March 12, 2014, and Aug. 23, 2018, according to NHTSA data. A similar notice was issued by Transport Canada.
The seat belt pre-tensioners were made by ZF-TRW and Takata, the now-defunct airbag and seat belt maker that was purchased by Joyson, another auto parts supplier.
Dealers will remove insulation and install heat-resistant tape to repair the trucks. Owners will be notified starting on Sept. 24.
In one of the complaints filed with the U.S. government, an owner in Grand Rapids, Michigan, told NHTSA that on July 7 a deer ran into the driver’s side of a pickup, causing minor damage. The side airbags inflated, and after five to 10 minutes, a passenger noticed a fire on the bottom of the post between the front and rear doors where the seat belts are located. “The truck went up in complete flames in a matter of minutes and is a complete loss,” the owner wrote.
People who file complaints are not identified in the NHTSA database.
Ford said in a filing Thursday with U.S. securities regulators that the recall will cost about $140 million and will be counted in thirdquarter results.
The company maintained its full-year adjusted earnings-pershare guidance of $1.30 to $1.50.