Lincoln Nautilus driver airbag cover may fly off

NHTSA campaign 18V806000 · Reported 2018-11-14 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious in a crash, because the part meant to protect you can become a flying object, but the notice does not tell owners to stop driving the vehicle.

What's wrong, in plain English

On these Lincoln Nautilus SUVs, the plastic cover over the driver's airbag — the panel in the middle of the steering wheel — may come loose when the airbag inflates in a crash. Instead of folding open the way it should, the cover can separate and hit the driver, causing injury on top of whatever the crash itself does. Only vehicles built without adaptive front steering are included. The dealer replaces the whole driver airbag unit.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to check whether your Nautilus is included.
2. Contact a Lincoln dealer, or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332, about recall 18S38.
3. Have the driver airbag module replaced — it is free.

Affected vehicles (1)

2019 Lincoln Nautilus

Who to contact

Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Why do Lincoln airbag recalls keep hitting Aviator and Navigator? · all 5 Lincoln recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles that are not equipped with Adaptive Front Steering. The plastic cover on the driver frontal air bag module may detach during air bag deployment.
Safety risk: If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S38.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.