Recall 19V205 covers 471 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles with foldaway seat backs that do not lock. Repair is free at any Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 471 2015-2018 Transit and E-350 vehicles equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions because a seat back cushion can unlock under crash or sudden-stop loads. If the seat back moves in a crash, the occupant faces a higher injury risk, and the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat in the affected 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles uses a locking back cushion to support the occupant. That lock is supposed to hold the seat back in position when the seat is loaded, including during a sudden stop or crash. The seat needs that locked position to keep the occupant supported.
On these vehicles, the back frame weldment is too narrow. That fit problem prevents the back cushion from locking into place as designed. Under load, the cushion can move out of position instead of staying locked, so the seat does not provide the support required by the seating-system standard.
The warning sign is a back cushion that does not lock in properly. If the cushion does not settle into a locked position, the seat is not ready to support an occupant in a crash.
Who's affected?
Covers Transit and E-350 vans across the 2015-2018 model years, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2016 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
| 2017 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
| 2015 Ford E-350 | seat assembly |
| 2016 Ford E-350 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Ford E-350 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
| 2018 Ford E-350 | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 471 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
A foldaway seat back that does not lock properly can move during a crash, raising the seat occupant's injury risk. If the back cushion feels loose or fails to latch, stop using that seat position and arrange inspection. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2018 Ford Transit or E-350 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to ask about the free foldaway-seat inspection and repair that secures the seat back under load.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 19V205 when you call.
- Avoid using the foldaway seat for passengers until the inspection and repair are complete.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-800-408-8550 with questions about the dealer repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician will inspect the Freedman GO-ES foldaway seat and repair the seat back cushion so it locks into place under load. Because the remedy status is not marked available, do not treat this as a confirmed appointment-ready repair from the article alone. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 19V205. Ask the service desk to confirm the repair path for your specific VIN before bringing the vehicle in.
Timeline
| March 18, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 21, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V205?
Recall 19V205 covers 471 2015-2018 Ford Transit and E-350 vehicles modified with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushions. The seat back cushion can fail to stay locked under crash or sudden-stop loads, increasing injury risk for the seat occupant.
What should I do if my 2015-2018 Ford Transit or E-350 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V205. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the foldaway-seat inspection and repair. Reference recall number 19V205 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct this safety defect at no cost. The dealer will inspect and repair the Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seat back cushion free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is seat-back movement during a crash or sudden stop. If the foldaway seat back does not stay locked under load, the occupant has an increased risk of injury. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free inspection and repair if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought my Ford Transit or E-350 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2015-2018 Ford Transit or E-350 is included, then reference recall number 19V205 when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V205000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-408-8550 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V205 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V205000 |
Source documents
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 →