Dearborn, MI – September 5, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) has recalled 42,493 vehicles with faulty child restraint systems, which may increase the risk of injury during a crash. This recall include the following vans:
- 2021 Ford Transit
- 2022 Ford Transit
- 2021 Ford Transit Connect
The affected component is the “front passenger seat belt automatic locking retractor”, with part numbers LK41-1461294-A/B/D/E. This is the second recall caused by faulty seat belts provided by the Swedish-American supplier Autoliv.
Recall summary
As reported, seat belt retractors are used to “lock up” the seat belt to protect the occupant from getting thrown from the seat in the event of a crash. There are two types of retractors – the emergency locking retractor (ELR) and the automatic locking retractor (ALR).
While the ELR only reacts when the system detects a crash, the ALR locks up right away after the seat belt is buckled. For that reason, it is often used to secure a child seat.
In recalled cars, the ALR in the front passenger seat deactivates “after the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor,” causing the child to be inadequately restrained. The defect is caused by “out of tolerance” components provided by the supplier.
Warning signs
Drivers may notice that an “audible clicking noise” that occurs when the ALR function is active but stops before the seat belt is “fully retracted.” This is the same warning sign provided by Daimler for its recent Mercedes-Benz recall for the same issue.
Risks
A seat belt with a faulty automatic locking reactor will not secure the child seat firmly in its place. This increases the risk of injury during a crash or sudden stops.
Other Ford Transit recalls
In June, Ford recalled close to 200,000 vans – including the 2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicle – over the risk of a rollaway. The 2020 and 2019 Transit Connect vehicles were recalled in November of last year due to the risk of engine fire, as reported.
The repair
Dealers will replace the seat belt assembly free of charge, if necessary. Notifications will be sent to owners beginning September 13, 2021.
Is your vehicle a part of this recall?
This Ford recall includes more than 40,000 vehicles. To check for Ford recalls, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.