Recall 21V183 covers 12 2019-2021 Demers Ambulances vehicles with sliding attendant seats for a locking-pin defect. Free repair at any franchised Demers Ambulances dealer.
Demers Ambulances is recalling 12 2019-2021 MX170E Ford E-Series and Type I (MXP170E) ambulances because the passenger-side sliding attendant seat locking pin assembly can fail under load. If the pin fails, the seat occupant is not sufficiently restrained in a crash, which increases injury risk, and Demers Ambulances dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The sliding attendant seat in the 2019-2021 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series and Type I (MXP170E) ambulances rides on a mobility seat base. That base lets the seat move in the patient compartment, then lock in place so the seat and belt anchorages hold an attendant during normal ambulance use.
In NHTSA campaign 21V183, the concern is the locking pin mechanism inside that seat base. The production part used a brass sleeve and a pin with a UHMW plastic casing, and later testing with production-representative parts did not meet the seating and seat belt anchorage strength requirements. Under loading, the pin assembly can fail to keep the sliding seat fixed.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or operator should not expect a light, noise, or seat movement to appear before the locking mechanism fails under load.
Who's affected?
Scope spans two ambulance configurations across the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years, with both component labels tied to the same seat assembly.
| 2021 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2021 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series | seat assembly |
| 2019 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series | seat assembly |
| 2019 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series | seat assembly |
| 2019 Demers Ambulances Type I (MXP170E) | seat assembly |
| 2019 Demers Ambulances Type I (MXP170E) | seat assembly |
| 2020 Demers Ambulances Type I (MXP170E) | seat assembly |
| 2020 Demers Ambulances Type I (MXP170E) | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 12 |
| 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 vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the locking pin fails, the occupant is not held securely enough during a crash, which increases injury risk. Check the VIN and schedule the recall repair with the dealer. Until it is repaired, make sure the restraint locks as designed before use. Repair is free at any franchised Demers Ambulances dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series or Type I (MXP170E) is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Demers Ambulances dealer to schedule the free sliding-attendant-seat locking-pin assembly replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Demers Ambulances has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V183 when you call.
- Avoid using the passenger-side sliding attendant seat until the locking-pin repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Demers Ambulances technician replaces the locking pin assembly for the sliding attendant seat in the passenger-side patient compartment. The work addresses the seat locking hardware that can fail under loading, which affects how the seat and belt anchorage hold an occupant. The recall repair is available, and the replacement parts and labor are free. The dealer is reimbursed for the repair work and receives the replacement locking pin assembly components from Demers Ambulances.
Timeline
| March 17, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 23, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| March 23, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 23, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 31, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 2, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V183?
Recall 21V183 covers 12 2019-2021 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series and Type I (MXP170E) ambulance vehicles with a sliding attendant seat in the patient compartment. The seat's locking pin assembly can fail under load, and the dealer replacement is free.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Demers Ambulances MX170E Ford E-Series or Type I (MXP170E) is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific ambulance is included in recall 21V183. If it is, contact a Demers Ambulances dealer or authorized service contact to schedule replacement of the sliding attendant seat locking pin assembly. Reference recall 21V183 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the remedy says dealers will replace the locking pin assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V183?
The risk is occupant restraint failure during a crash. If the sliding attendant seat locking pin fails, the seated occupant is not sufficiently restrained, increasing injury risk. The fix is replacement of the locking pin assembly at no charge.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on April 2, 2021. For an included ambulance, contact a Demers Ambulances dealer or authorized service contact and ask for the free locking pin assembly replacement. Demers Ambulances customer service can be reached at 1-877-344-9990.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V183000 |
|---|---|
| Demers Ambulances customer service | 1-877-344-9990 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V183 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V183000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
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 →