Safety Recall 17S17 – Attachment Bolt Replacement for Seats, Seatbacks, Seatbelt Buckles and/or Seatbelts – 2014 Ford F-150 & E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, 2015 Lincoln MKC

NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V472
Manufacturer Ford Motor Company
Components SEAT BELTS, SEATS
Potential Number of Units Affected 94,605

 

Seat and Seat Belt Mounting Bolts may Fracture

The improperly manufactured bolts may fracture. If a seat, seatback, or seatbelt anchor attaching bolt fractures, the affected component may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

 

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford F-150 and E-350, 2014-2015 Ford Escape, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles. Improperly manufactured bolts may have been used to install certain seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, or seatbelt anchors on these vehicles.

 

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bolts, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available in the fourth quarter of 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 17S17.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your Vehicle has a Recall

---

October 10, 2017

TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Dealers

SUBJECT: Safety Recall 17S17
Certain 2014 Model Year E-Series and F-150, 2014-2015 Escape and
2015 MKC Vehicles
Attachment Bolt Replacement for Seats, Seatbacks, Seatbelt Buckles and/or Seatbelts

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

 

Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS and FSA VIN Lists.

 

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL

In some of the affected vehicles, certain attachment bolts for the seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles and/or seatbelts may have been improperly hardened during manufacturing.  Improperly hardened bolts may be more susceptible to fracture and the structural integrity of the seat or the restraint’s performance could be compromised in a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injury.

 

SERVICE ACTION

Dealers are to replace the affected attaching bolts for the seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles and/or seatbelts.  This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

 

OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE

Owner letters are expected to be mailed the week of October 23, 2017.  Dealers should repair any affected vehicles that arrive at their dealerships, whether or not the customer has received a letter.

PLEASE NOTE:

Federal law requires dealers to complete this recall service before a new vehicle is delivered to the buyer or lessee.  Violation of this requirement by a dealer could result in a civil penalty of up to $21,000 per vehicle.  Correct all vehicles in your new vehicle inventory before delivery.

             

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment I: Administrative Information
Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III: Technical Information
Owner Notification Letter
Recall Reimbursement Plan

 

QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

For questions and assistance, contact the Special Service Support Center (SSSC) via the SSSC Web Contact Site.  The SSSC Web Contact Site can be accessed through the Professional Technician Society (PTS) website using the SSSC link listed at the bottom of the OASIS VIN report screen or listed under the SSSC tab.

Sincerely,

 

Michael A. Berardi

---

ATTACHMENT I

Safety Recall 17S17
Certain 2014 Model Year E-Series and F-150,
2014-2015 Escape and 2015 MKC Vehicles
Attachment Bolt Replacement for Seats, Seatbacks, Seatbelt Buckles and/or Seatbelts

 

OASIS ACTIVATION

OASIS was activated on July 25, 2017.

 

FSA VIN LISTS ACTIVATION

FSA VIN Lists will be available through https://web.fsavinlists.dealerconnection.com on July 25, 2017.  Owner names and addresses will be available by November 3, 2017.

NOTE:  Your FSA VIN Lists may contain owner names and addresses obtained from motor vehicle registration records.  The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than in connection with this recall is a violation of law in several states, provinces, and countries.

Accordingly, you must limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

 

SOLD VEHICLES

• Owners of affected vehicles will be directed to dealers for repairs.
• Immediately contact any of your affected customers whose vehicles are not on your VIN list but are identified in OASIS. Give the customer a copy of the Owner Notification Letter (when available) and schedule a service date.
• Correct other affected vehicles identified in OASIS which are brought to your dealership.
• Dealers are to prioritize repairs of customer vehicles over repairs of new and used vehicle inventory.

 

STOCK VEHICLES

• Use OASIS to identify any affected vehicles in your used vehicle inventory.

 

DEALER-OPERATED RENTAL VEHICLES

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act law effective June 2016 prohibits a rental company from selling, renting or leasing vehicles subject to a safety or compliance recall.  Please consult your legal counsel for legal advice.

 

TITLE BRANDED / SALVAGED VEHICLES

Affected title branded and salvaged vehicles are eligible for this recall.

 

ADDITIONAL REPAIR (LABOR TIME AND/OR PARTS)

Additional repairs identified as necessary to complete the FSA should be managed as follows:

• For repairs where additional time is needed to remove broken bolts, dealers are authorized to claim up to 3.0 hours actual time using labor operation MT17S17 without contacting the SSSC Web Contact Site for approval. Follow the Actual Time Usage Guidelines and Service Management Responsibilities as identified in the Warranty and Policy Manual.  Claims for additional labor over 3.0 hours must be submitted to the SSSC as a Related Damage contact.

Submit a request to the SSSC Web Contact Site if you have any of the following:

• More than 3.0 hours of additional labor time is required to remove broken bolts, or another condition exists that requires additional labor and/or parts to complete the repair.
• Damage that you believe was caused by the covered condition.
• Aftermarket equipment or non-Ford modifications to the vehicle which might prevent the repair of the covered condition.

Requests for approval after completion of the repair may not be granted.  Ford Motor Company reserves the right to deny coverage for related damage in cases where the vehicle owner has not had this recall performed on a timely basis.  Additional related damage parts are subject to random selection for return to the Ford Warranty Parts Analysis Center (WPAC).

 

OWNER REFUNDS

• This safety recall must be performed, even if the owner has paid for a previous repair. Claiming a refund will not close the recall on the vehicle. 
• Ford Motor Company is offering a refund for owner-paid repairs covered by this recall if the repair was performed prior to the date indicated in the reimbursement plan, which is posted with this bulletin. Owners are directed to seek reimbursement through authorized dealers or, at their option, directly through Ford Motor Company at P.O. Box 6251, Dearborn, MI 481216251.
• Dealers are also pre-approved to refund owner-paid emergency repairs that were performed away from an authorized servicing dealer after the end date specified in the reimbursement plan. Non-covered repairs, or those judged by Ford to be excessive, will not be reimbursed.
• Refunds will only be provided for the cost associated with replacement of the affected attachment bolts for the seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles, and/or seatbelts.

 

RENTAL VEHICLES

With proper dealer parts ordering and service appointment scheduling, rental vehicles should not be required.  However, if you have a unique owner circumstance which may require a rental vehicle, please contact the SSSC via the SSSC Web Contact Site.

 

CLAIMS PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

• Enter claims using Direct Warranty Entry (DWE) or One Warranty Solution (OWS). o DWE: refer to ACESII manual for claims preparation and submission information.
  • o OWS: when entering claims in DMS software, select claim type 31: Field Service Action. The FSA number 17S17 is the sub code.
• Additional labor time for the removal of broken bolts must be claimed as “MT17S17” on a repair line that is separate from the repair line on which the FSA is claimed, with the related damage flag checked. Prior approval is not required from the Special Service Support Center when using “MT17S17” for additional labor time claims under 3.0 hours.
• Additional labor and/or parts not related to the removal of broken bolts must be claimed as related damage on a separate repair line from the FSA.
• Submit refunds on a separate repair line.
  • Program Code:  17S17             –  Misc. Expense:  ADMIN
  • Misc. Expense:  REFUND      –  Misc. Expense:  0.2 Hrs.

• Multiple refunds should be submitted on one repair line and the invoice details for each repair should be detailed in the comments section of the claim.

---

ATTACHMENT II

Safety Recall 17S17
Certain 2014 Model Year E-Series and F-150,
2014-2015 Escape and 2015 MKC Vehicles
Attachment Bolt Replacement for Seats, Seatbacks, Seatbelt Buckles and/or Seatbelts

 

LABOR ALLOWANCES – All Vehicles (Use One)

 

 

PARTS REQUIREMENTS / ORDERING INFORMATION

 

The DOR/COR number for this recall is 51099.

Order your parts through normal order processing channels.  To guarantee the shortest delivery time, an emergency order for parts must be placed.

 

DEALER PRICE  

For latest prices, refer to DOES II.

 

PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN

Follow the provisions of the Warranty and Policy Manual, Section 1 – WARRANTY PARTS RETENTION AND RETURN POLICIES.

 

EXCESS STOCK RETURN

Excess stock returned for credit must have been purchased from Ford Customer Service Division in accordance with Policy Procedure Bulletin 4000.

---

ATTACHMENT III

CERTAIN 2014 MODEL YEAR E-SERIES AND F-150, 2014-2015 ESCAPE AND 2015 MKC VEHICLES – ATTACHMENT BOLT REPLACEMENT FOR SEATS, SEATBACKS, SEATBELT BUCKLES AND/OR SEATBELTS

 

OVERVIEW

In some of the affected vehicles, certain attachment bolts for the seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles and/or seatbelts may have been improperly hardened during manufacturing. Improperly hardened bolts may be more susceptible to fracture and the structural integrity of the seat or the restraint’s performance could be compromised in a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Dealers are to replace the affected attaching bolts for the seats, seatbacks, seatbelt buckles and/or seatbelts. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTE: A percentage of bolts have been over-hardened during the tempering process which increases the risk of bolt breakage on removal. If a bolt does break on removal, industry accepted methods of broken bolt extraction should be followed as needed to remove the broken bolt.

 

E-SERIES BOLT REPLACEMENT

Recommended Tool List For Replacement:

 

 

1. With the vehicle in neutral, position it on a hoist. Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 100-02.
2. Remove and discard the two RH and LH fourth row seat anchor bolts located near the rear bumper (four bolts total). See Figure 1.

FIGURE 1

 

3. Install two new RH and LH fourth row seat anchor bolts (four bolts total). See Figure 1.
   • Tighten bolts to 38 lb.ft (51 Nm).

 

F-150 BOLT REPLACEMENT

Recommended Tool List For Replacement:

 

1. Remove and discard the two front seat bolts from both front seats (four bolts total). See Figure 2.

FIGURE 2

 

2. Install two new front seat bolts to both front seats (four bolts total). See Figure 2. The inboard seat mounting bolts must be tightened first, followed by the outboard bolts.
   • Tighten bolts to 41 lb.ft (55 Nm).

 

ESCAPE BOLT REPLACEMENT

Recommended Tool List For Replacement:

 

 

1. Remove the RH and LH rear seat cushion bolt covers. See Figure 3.

FIGURE 3

 

2. Remove the RH and LH rear seat cushion lower bolts. See Figure 4. Position both seat cushions up.

FIGURE 4

 

3. Remove and discard the three seat backrest-to-floor rear bolts. See Figure 5.
   • If equipped, remove and discard the retaining clip from the seat belt retractor/buckle bolt.

FIGURE 5

 

3. Install three new seat backrest-to-floor rear bolts. See Figure 5.
   • Tighten bolts to 52 lb.ft (70 Nm).
4. Position both seat cushions down and reinstall the RH and LH rear seat cushion lower bolts. See Figure 4.
   • Tighten bolts to 30 lb.ft (40 Nm).
5. Reinstall the RH and LH rear seat cushion bolt covers. See Figure 3.

 

MKC BOLT REPLACEMENT

Recommended Tool List For Replacement:

 

 

1. Remove the rear seat cushion. Please follow the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures in Section 501-10B.
2. Remove and discard the five seat backrest-to-floor retainers. See Figure 6.
   • If equipped, remove and discard the retaining clip from the seat belt retractor/buckle bolt.

FIGURE 6

 

3. Install five new seat backrest-to-floor bolts. See Figure 6.
   • Tighten bolts to 52 lb.ft (70 Nm).
4. Install the rear seat cushion. Please follow the WSM procedures in Section 501-10B.

---

Ford Motor Company
Recall Reimbursement Plan for 17S17

 

Ford and Lincoln dealers are in the best position to quickly and efficiently process reimbursement requests.  However, federal legislation requires all motor vehicle manufacturers to establish processes through which customers may seek recall reimbursement directly from the manufacturer or from the dealers.

Regarding the specific reimbursement plan for Recall # 17S17, owners who have paid for service to remedy the defect or noncompliance must have had that service performed prior to November 6, 2017 After this date, if repairs related to this recall are performed by a non-Ford repair facility in an emergency situation, customers must submit any refund requests through their dealership.  As required by this federal regulation, Ford Motor Company submitted the details of its latest General Recall Reimbursement Plan in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in February 2015.  The following is the text of that letter and the Plan:

 

General Recall Reimbursement Plan
(As submitted to the NHTSA)

 

Pursuant to the requirements set forth in 49 CFR Part 573 and Part 577 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Ford Motor Company (Ford) is submitting required information pertaining to our general reimbursement plan for the cost of remedies paid for by vehicle owners before they are notified of a related safety recall.

Set forth below is Ford’s general plan to reimburse owners and purchasers for costs incurred for remedies in advance of notification of potential safely-related defects or noncompliances pursuant to Part 573.6 (c)(8)(i).  This plan has not changed since our February 20, 2015 submission.

 

Reimbursement Notification

Ford’s notice to a vehicle owner in accordance with 49 CFR Part 577 will indicate that Ford is offering a refund if the owner paid to have service to remedy the defect or noncompliance prior to a

specified ending date.  In accordance with Part 573.13 (c)(2), this ending date will be defined as a minimum of ten calendar days after the date on which Ford mailed the last of its Part 577 notifications to owners, and will be indicated in the specific reimbursement plan available to owners for an individual recall.  This notice will direct owners to seek eligible reimbursement through authorized dealers or, at their option, directly through Ford at the following address:

Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 6251
Dearborn, MI  48121-6251

 

Ford notes that this rule allows for the identification of a beginning date for reimbursement eligibility.  Under the rule, an owner who paid to remedy the defect or noncompliance prior to the identified beginning date would not be eligible for reimbursement.  Ford generally has not established such a beginning date for reimbursement eligibility and does not presently anticipate changing this general policy. However, in any case where Ford determines a beginning date is appropriate, Ford will indicate that date in the owner notice.  As permitted by 577.11(e), Ford may not include a reimbursement notification when all vehicles are well within the warranty period, subject to approval by the agency.

 

Costs to be Reimbursed

For vehicles, reimbursement will not be less than the lesser of:

• The amount paid by the owner for the remedy that specifically addressed and was reasonably necessary to correct the defect or noncompliance that is the subject of the recall, or
• The cost of parts for the remedy (to be no more than the manufacturer’s list retail price for authorized part(s), plus associated labor at local labor rates, miscellaneous fees (such as disposal of waste) and taxes.

For replacement equipment, reimbursement will be the amount paid by the owner for the replacement item (limited by the amount of the retail list price of the defective or noncompliant item that was replaced, plus taxes, where the brand or model purchased by the owner was different than the brand or model that was the subject of the recall).  If the item of motor vehicle equipment was repaired, the reimbursement provisions identified above for vehicles will apply.

Ford notes that costs incurred by the owner within the period during which Ford’s original or extended warranty would have provided for a free repair of the problem will not be eligible for reimbursement, as provided by Part 573.13 (d)(1).

 

Entities Authorized to Provide Reimbursement

Ford will continue to use authorized dealers to reimburse owners under the specific reimbursement plans for a particular recall, and will encourage owners to pursue requests for reimbursement directly through dealers to expedite reimbursement.  Ford will also provide a mailing address to which customers can, at their option, send requests for reimbursement directly to Ford, as previously noted.  Requests for reimbursement sent directly to Ford may take up to 60 days to process.  Whether the owner chooses to pursue reimbursement requests through a dealer or directly through Ford, the owner will be directed to submit the required documentation, upon which reimbursement eligibility will be determined.

 

Required Documentation

The reimbursement determination will depend upon the information provided by the customer.  Consistent with Part 573.13 (d)(4) the following information must be submitted:

• Claimant name and address
• Vehicle make, model, and model year
• Vehicle identification number (VIN) and, for replacement equipment, a description of such equipment or, for tires, the model, size and TIN (DOT code)
• Identification of the recall number (either the Ford recall number or the NHTSA recall number)
• Identification of the owner of the recalled vehicle at the time that the pre-notification remedy was obtained
• An original receipt for the pre-notification remedy that includes a breakdown of the amount for parts, labor, other costs and taxes, including costs for the replacement item. Where the receipt covers work other than to address the recall or noncompliance, Ford may require the claimant to separately identify costs that are eligible for reimbursement.
• If the remedy was obtained during the warranty period, documentation indicating that the warranty was not honored or the warranty repair did not correct the problem related to the recall.

Failure to submit all of the above information may result in denial of the reimbursement request.

 

Additional Information

The Part 577 required owner notice will provide a toll-free telephone number through which specific information about the reimbursement plan can be requested from Ford.  This general reimbursement plan will be incorporated into notifications pursuant to Part 573.6 by reference.  Information specific to an individual recall also may be incorporated into the Part 573.6 notification.

---

October 2017

* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *
(PROGRAMA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE)

 

Safety Recall Notice 17S17 / NHTSA Recall 17V-472
Aviso de Revisión de Seguridad 17S17

 

Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345

 

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):  12345678901234567

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Ford Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in your vehicle, with the VIN shown above.

We apologize for this situation and want to assure you that, with your assistance, we will correct this condition.  Our commitment, together with your dealer, is to provide you with the highest level of service and support.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Ford Customer Service Division

---

October 2017

* * * IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL * * *
(PROGRAMA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE)

 

Safety Recall Notice 17S17 / NHTSA Recall 17V-472
Aviso de Revisión de Seguridad or Cumplimiento 17S17

 

Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345

 

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):  12345678901234567

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

The Lincoln Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in your vehicle, with the VIN shown above.

We apologize for this situation and want to assure you that, with your assistance, we will correct this condition.  Our commitment, together with your dealer, is to provide you with the highest level of service and support.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

The Lincoln Motor Company

---

October 10, 2017

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCMN-17V472-5267.pdf

---

October 2017

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCONL-17V472-0016.pdf

---

September 2017

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RIONL-17V472-5951.pdf

---

July 25, 2017

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCMN-17V472-4729.pdf

---

August 4, 2017

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCAK-17V472-9469.pdf

---

 

Last update on 2022-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API