Recall 19V023 covers 63 2019 Ford Ecosport vehicles with improperly welded front seat frames. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 63 2019 Ecosport SUVs under recall 19V023 because the front seat frames were improperly welded, leaving the seat back improperly secured. A loose seat back increases the risk of injury in a crash, and the Ford dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The front seat back frame in the 2019 Ford Ecosport is the metal structure inside the front seat back. It holds the seat back in position and gives the seat belt anchor area a fixed structure to work against. The frame depends on its welds to keep the seat back secured as designed.
On affected vehicles, the weld between the side member and the A-bracket did not get enough penetration. That means the weld did not bond deeply enough into the metal parts it was joining. Ford traced the problem to a failed air dryer in the compressor system, which let excess moisture reach the laser welding air supply and diffuse the laser beam. A weak weld leaves the seat back less secure than intended.
Owners can notice a squeak, a rattle, or a seat back that feels loose. Those are the warning signs Ford identified before the seat frame problem is found.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Ford Ecosport | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 63 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Ford Ecosport SUV is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loose front seat back can move unexpectedly in a crash and increase the risk of injury. A squeak, rattle, or seat back that feels loose is a reason to stop using that seat and schedule service. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Ford Ecosport is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free front seat assembly replacement that secures the loose seat back.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 19V023 and Ford recall 18C08 when you call.
- Use another vehicle for front-seat passengers until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the front seat assemblies covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Ford excludes a separate reimbursement program because the original warranty already provides a free repair for this concern. If you already have repair paperwork for the front seat frame or seat assembly issue, ask the Ford service desk how the original warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| January 2, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 3, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 3, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 11, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 11, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 8, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V023?
Recall 19V023 covers 63 2019 Ford Ecosport vehicles with an improper front-seat-frame weld that leaves the seat back improperly secured. A loose seat back can increase injury risk in a crash. Ford dealers replace the front seat assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Ford Ecosport is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V023. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule front seat assembly replacement. Reference recall 19V023 or Ford recall 18C08 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford dealers replace the front seat assemblies free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that a loose front seat back can increase injury risk in a crash. The issue involves the seat frame weld and seat back security, so the repair path is seat assembly replacement at a franchised Ford dealer.
When did Ford notify owners about this recall?
Ford notified owners, and the recall began May 8, 2019. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Ford dealer with recall 19V023 or Ford recall 18C08.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V023000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V023 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V023000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →