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Lincoln MKX and Nautilus power seats can damage airbag wiring

NHTSA campaign 20V414000 · Reported 2020-07-17 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

This is serious both ways: an airbag that fires unexpectedly can cause a crash, and one that fails in a crash leaves you unprotected, though the notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

These vehicles have 16-way power seats that tilt. The edge of the seat cushion frame can rub against a bundle of wires underneath when someone uses the tilt function, and over time that can damage the wires. Those wires are connected to the airbag, so a damaged wire can make the airbag go off on its own while you are driving, or keep it from going off in a crash. Dealers will add protective tape and fix any damaged wiring.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included.
2. Call Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or your dealer and reference recall 20S37.
3. Have the tape installed and the wiring inspected or replaced — the repair is free.

Affected vehicles (3)

2018 Lincoln MKX
2019 Lincoln Nautilus
2020 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

Lincoln seat recalls: seats that shift, fold or recline · all 8 Lincoln recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Summary: Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Safety risk: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.

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