Missing Welds Leads to Ford Edge recall
Ford Motor Company is recalling several Ford Edge vehicles after discovering a problem with their “Panoramic Vista Roofs.”
The manufacturer submitted a safety recall report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 27, 2017. The recall covers 84 units of the 2017 Ford Edge, specifically those equipped with the optional “Panoramic Vista Roof.”
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Ford said in the report the vehicles may have been built with missing welds in the windshield header portion of the body sheet metal. The lack of welds could result in reduced lateral structural integrity, potentially increasing the risk of injury in a side impact crash.
Ford said they don’t know of any accidents or injuries related to the condition.
Personnel at a Ford vehicle assembly plant noted missing spot welds in the windshield area of the Edge vehicles on March 2, 2017. Company officials investigated the issue to determine how wide the issue spread. Following further analysis and an engineering study, Ford’s field review committee approved a recall on March 20, 2017.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the windshield header, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for the recall is 17C05. The vehicles were not produced in VIN order, so owners are encouraged to call either their dealer or the number above. Concerned Ford owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
The manufacturer of your vehicle is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide the loss value of your recalled vehicle, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.