Recall 19V238 covers 12 Ford Transit, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, and F-250 shuttle vehicles for GO-3S seat locks. Repair is free.
Ford recall 19V238 covers 12 Transit, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, and F-250 shuttle vehicles from model years 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. If the back seat cushion does not stay locked under load, the seat back can move in a crash and increase injury risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The recalled shuttle vehicles use Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. The back cushion rotates from a stowed position into an upright seating position, then locks so it can support a passenger during normal travel, a sudden stop, or a crash. That locking action depends on the seat back frame and seat base fitting together correctly.
On affected seats, the back frame weldment, the welded metal structure inside the seat back, can be too narrow. When that narrow frame is assembled to the seat base weldment, it deforms the dump mechanism that controls the foldaway movement. The mechanism then fails to hold the back cushion in its intended upright position under load.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recalled GO-3S foldaway seat does not have a visual difference that separates it from a remedy seat, so an owner cannot confirm the issue by looking at the seat.
Who's affected?
The scope crosses van and pickup lines: Transit, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, and F-250, all tied to the seat assembly.
| 2015 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | seat assembly |
| 2017 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
| 2016 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
| 2007 Ford F-250 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | seat assembly |
| 2015 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | seat assembly |
| 2018 Ford Transit | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 12 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, a moving seat back can leave the occupant with less support and increase the risk of injury. The problem shows up during a crash, so schedule the recall repair soon instead of waiting for a warning sign. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, or 2018 Ford Transit, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, or F-250 is included in this recall.
- Contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 to request the free repair kit for the Freedman GO-3S foldaway seat.
- Ask a franchised Ford dealer or qualified repair shop how the kit will be installed before the vehicle carries passengers.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 19V238 when you call.
- Keep the affected foldaway seat out of passenger service until the repair kit is installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician installs the free Freedman repair kit for the GO-3S foldaway seat so the back cushion locks in the upright position under load. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you already paid for a related seat repair, Freedman reimburses recall repair costs, including parts and labor. Bring repair documentation to the service desk or contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 to start the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 25, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| March 26, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
| April 1, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 15, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V238?
Recall 19V238 covers 12 Ford Transit, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, and F-250-based shuttle vehicles with Freedman GO-3S foldaway seats. The seat cushion can fail to stay locked under load during a crash or sudden stop, increasing injury risk. Freedman provides the repair kit for free.
What should I do if my 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Ford Transit, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 2500, or F-250 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V238. If it is, contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 and ask for the free GO-3S foldaway seat repair kit. Reference recall number 19V238 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. The recall remedy is free. The official remedy directs owners to contact Freedman for a no-charge repair kit for the affected GO-3S foldaway seat, which addresses the seat cushion lock condition described in recall 19V238.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is injury to the seat occupant in a crash. If the back seat cushion does not stay locked when loaded, the seat back can move during a crash or sudden stop. Recall 19V238 addresses that seat-locking defect with a free repair kit.
What if I bought this shuttle vehicle used?
The free recall remedy still applies. Ownership history does not remove the manufacturer recall obligation. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Transit, Sprinter, or F-250-based shuttle vehicle is included, then contact Freedman at 1-800-443-4540 for the free repair kit.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V238000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-443-4540 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V238 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V238000 |
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 →