The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to September 30, 2013. The coating on portions of the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may crack, and when exposed to humidity, circuits on the printed circuit board may short.
The risk
The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 14V-597 (14V597000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 14S21 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Seat belts |
| Report date | September 26, 2014 |
| Owners notified | May 26, 2015 |
| Vehicles affected | 746,842 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seat belts
- 2013 Ford C-Max seat belt problems 2
- 2014 Ford C-Max seat belt problems 1
- 2013 Ford Escape seat belt problems 43
- 2014 Ford Escape seat belt problems 26
- 2013 Ford Fusion seat belt problems 100
- 2014 Ford Fusion seat belt problems 75
- 2013 Lincoln MKZ seat belt problems 12
- 2014 Lincoln MKZ seat belt problems 1
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 14V-597 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S21.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 746,842 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.