Recall 16V875 covers 603,392 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Mkz vehicles for seat belt cable failure. Free repair at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 603,392 2013-2016 Fusion and Lincoln Mkz vehicles because heat from a front seat belt pretensioner deployment can damage the seat belt anchor cable in a crash. If that cable fails, the driver or front passenger is not properly restrained, increasing injury risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt anchor cable is part of the restraint system in affected 2013-2016 Fusion and Mkz vehicles. It helps secure the driver or front passenger belt to the vehicle so the belt can hold an occupant in place during a crash. The seat belt pretensioner tightens the belt at the start of a crash to reduce slack.
During pretensioner deployment, internal heat can build around the cable. On these vehicles, that heat can degrade the cable's tensile strength, which means the cable loses the strength it needs to hold load. If the cable falls below that strength level, the front seat belt anchor cable can fail during the crash event.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look and feel normal in daily driving because the problem occurs during pretensioner deployment in a crash.
Who's affected?
Spans Fusion and Mkz sedans across the 2013-2016 model years, all tied to the front seat belt component.
| 2014 Ford Fusion | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Fusion | seat belt |
| 2016 Ford Fusion | seat belt |
| 2013 Lincoln Mkz | seat belt |
| 2014 Lincoln Mkz | seat belt |
| 2015 Ford Fusion | seat belt |
| 2015 Lincoln Mkz | seat belt |
| Units affected | 603,392 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a front seatbelt cable does not restrain the driver or front passenger properly, that occupant faces a higher risk of injury when the belt is needed. There is no warning sign before the problem shows up, so schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Ford Fusion or Mkz is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free protective coating for the front seat belt anchor cable, the cable identified in this recall as vulnerable to pretensioner heat during a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V875 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions and reference Ford recall 16S42.
- Use the repaired vehicle only after the dealer confirms the seat belt cable coating is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician applies a protective coating to the front seat belt anchor cable. The coating is meant to protect the cable from heat generated when the seat belt pretensioner deploys in a crash. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Ford excludes separate reimbursement because the original warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. If you paid out of pocket before the recall work, ask the service desk how the warranty coverage applies to that prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 1, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 5, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| January 20, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 16, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V875?
Recall 16V875 covers 603,392 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Mkz vehicles with front seat belt anchor cables that can fail after heat from a seat belt pretensioner deployment in a crash. Ford dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Ford Fusion or Lincoln Mkz is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V875. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the seat belt cable coating repair. Reference recall number 16V875 and Ford recall number 16S42 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will apply the protective coating to the front seat belt cable free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced front-seat restraint in a crash. If the driver or front passenger seat belt cable fails, the belt cannot properly restrain that occupant, increasing injury risk. The dealer repair adds a protective coating to the cable.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Fusion or Mkz is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 16V875.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V875000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V875 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V875000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →