Recall 17V616 affects 308 2016 Braun Braunability Mxv vehicles because rearward seats can dislodge the air bag sensor. Free repair at a franchised Braun dealer.
Braun is recalling 308 2016 Braunability Mxv wheelchair-accessible conversion vehicles because moving the driver or front passenger seat fully rearward can dislodge the seat position sensor. If that sensor is out of place, the air bag control unit can miscalculate frontal air bag deployment force in a crash, increasing injury risk; Braun dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The seat position sensor tells the air bag control unit where the driver or front passenger seat is positioned. On 2016 Braunability Mxv vehicles, that information helps the air bag system choose the correct frontal air bag deployment force in a crash. The Braun conversion adds seat base pedestal shrouds around the seat bases.
On affected vehicles, the shroud interferes with the seat position sensor when the driver or front passenger seat is moved to its most rearward position. That interference can knock the sensor out of place. With the sensor dislodged, the air bag control unit no longer has accurate seat position information, so it cannot calculate the needed frontal air bag force correctly.
There is no warning sign before failure. The sensor displacement can happen during normal seat adjustment, so an owner notices only the seat moving back unless the seat base area is inspected.
Who's affected?
Two component areas are involved: the seat assembly and front air bag.
| 2016 Braun Braunability Mxv | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2016 Braun Braunability Mxv | front air bag |
| Units affected | 308 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the seat position sensor is dislodged, the frontal air bag can deploy with the wrong force in a crash, and occupants face a higher injury risk. This can happen without warning, so schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Braun dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Braun Braunability Mxv is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Braun dealer to schedule the free seat-base-pedestal modification that gives the seat position sensor the clearance it needs for correct frontal air bag deployment force.
- Bring any owner letter Braun mailed. If you do not have it, reference recall number 17V616 when you call.
- Keep the driver and front passenger seats out of the most rearward position until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Braun technician modifies the seat base pedestals so the seat position sensor has the required clearance. The work is meant to keep the sensor from being dislodged when the driver or front passenger seat is moved fully rearward. Parts and labor are free under the recall, and BraunAbility supplies remedy kits to mobility dealers for the repair.
Timeline
| October 3, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 20, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V616?
Recall 17V616 covers 308 2016 Braun Braunability Mxv wheelchair accessible conversion vehicles built on Ford Explorer chassis. The driver or front passenger seat can dislodge the seat position sensor at its rearmost setting, and Braun dealers will modify the seat base pedestals for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Braun Braunability Mxv is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific conversion vehicle is included in recall 17V616. If it is, contact a Braun-authorized dealer to schedule the seat base pedestal modification. Reference recall number 17V616 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Braun's remedy says dealers will modify the seat base pedestals free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is incorrect frontal air bag force in a crash. If the seat position sensor is dislodged, the air bag control unit can miscalculate the deployment force needed for the driver or front passenger, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
When did Braun start this recall repair?
Braun began the recall repair on November 20, 2017. If your VIN is included and the repair is still open, call Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359 or a Braun-authorized dealer and ask for recall 17V616.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V616000 |
|---|---|
| Braun customer service | 1-800-488-0359 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V616 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V616000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation 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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →