Dearborn, Mich. — Feb. 10, 2017 — A shared defect has two different Ford models from 2016 included in a new recall. This action stems from structural issues within just 17 vehicles across these models, which had already prompted attention.
The Defect
The apron joints on the left side of floor pans in affected vehicles are, according to documents from the NHTSA, incorrectly welded in these autos. The 17 vehicles included in the recall are all in the U.S. and cover 2016 Ford Focus and C-Max vehicles from the company’s Michigan assembly plant. Both of the models were produced in the last full week of October last year.
As the source described, the improper welding means the fronts of these vehicles would be weakened, making them more susceptible to damage. In a Jan. 26 statement, Ford said that no accidents or injuries were yet connected to this problem.
Timeline of Events
- Oct. 25, 2016: The day before the first production for both of these brands. The joints were actually already repaired before the vehicles were originally released with rivets, but later tests showed possible dangerous errors in the process.
- Jan. 17, 2017: After two months of analysis, the manufacturer’s Field Review Committee approves the recall action, which is covered under the original vehicle warranties and will therefore be free of charge for owners. The decision only came after the Critical Concerns Review Group prompted analysis in an earlier response.
Resolution
To fix the issue, car owners will be instructed to take the vehicles to their dealer to get them fixed. This could involve inspecting the rivets and replacing as needed. While the original Part 573 Safety Recall Report said the dealer notification date was set for Jan. 25, owners are not slated for notification until the first full week of March.
