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Campaign 19V633 Posted August 28, 2019 639,137 units

2018-2020 Ford F-Series/SUVs Recall 19V633: Seat Back

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 23, 2026

Ford is recalling 639,137 2018-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles for improperly assembled seat recliners. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

Ford is recalling 639,137 2018-2020 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Expedition, Escape, and Aviator vehicles because the recall involves manual seat back recliner mechanisms missing the third pawl needed for seat strength. A loose seat back can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash and increase injury risk; Ford dealers will inspect and repair the recliner mechanism free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The manual seat back recliner mechanism in these 2018-2020 Ford vehicles locks the seatback at the angle selected by the occupant. Inside the recliner, pawls act like small locking teeth that hold the seatback in place. The system depends on all required pawls being installed so the seatback has the designed strength.

On affected vehicles, the recliner mechanism was assembled with the third pawl missing. Ford traced the issue to improper machine setup on an assembly line at the seat recliner supplier. Without that pawl, the seatback does not have the intended locking support and can feel loose or sit out of position.

You can see or feel the problem before a failure. The seatback can feel loose, or it can appear to lean rearward on one side.

Who's affected?

The included list mixes Ford trucks and SUVs with the Lincoln Aviator, and it uses two seat component labels for the same owner-facing seat assembly concern.

2018 Ford F-150 seat assembly
2018 Ford F-150 seat assembly
2020 Ford Escape seat assembly
2020 Ford Escape seat assembly
2020 Ford F-550 seat assembly
Units affected639,137

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?

An improperly assembled seat recliner can leave the seatback weak in a crash and reduce how well it restrains an occupant, increasing injury risk. If the seatback feels loose or leans rearward on one side, schedule inspection promptly and avoid using that seating position until the dealer checks it. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2020 Ford or Lincoln F-150, Escape, F-550, Explorer, Aviator, F-450, F-250, F-350, or Expedition is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Ford dealer, or a Lincoln dealer if you own an Aviator, to schedule the free seat-recliner inspection and repair.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Ford has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V633 when you call.
  4. Ask the dealer to inspect the manual seat back recliner mechanism and replace the seat structure if the loose seat back is tied to a missing third pawl.
  5. Use extra care with affected seating until the repair is complete, since the seat back has reduced crash restraint strength.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the front seat back recliner seat structure and replaces the affected seat structure as needed. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because Ford says the warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.

ReimbursementWarranty coverage applies

Timeline

August 28, 2019 NHTSA published the recall
August 29, 2019 Dealer notification began
August 29, 2019 Dealer notification ended
October 21, 2019 Owner notification mailed
October 21, 2019 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 19V633?

Recall 19V633 covers 639,137 2018-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles with manual seat back recliner mechanisms that can be missing a third pawl required for seat back strength. Ford and Lincoln dealers inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed for free.

What should I do if my 2018-2020 Ford F-150, Escape, F-550, Explorer, F-450, F-250, F-350, Expedition, or Lincoln Aviator is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V633. If it is, contact a franchised Ford or Lincoln dealer to schedule the seat inspection. Reference Ford recall number 19C07 when you call. The inspection and needed seat structure replacement are free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as necessary free of charge under recall 19V633.

What is the safety risk?

The risk is reduced seat back strength in a crash. A loose seat back from an improperly assembled recliner mechanism can fail to restrain an occupant adequately, increasing the risk of injury. Ford and Lincoln dealers fix the affected seat structure for free.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your vehicle is included, then call a franchised Ford or Lincoln dealer and reference recall 19V633 or Ford recall number 19C07.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V633000
Ford customer service1-866-436-7332
NHTSA recall #19V633
NHTSA recall # (full)19V633000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →