Ford Fusion, Mondeo and Lincoln MKZ models recalled for seat belt problem

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Company announced a recall Friday of over 680,000 Ford Fusion, Ford Mondeo and Lincoln MKZ models to repair a seat belt defect.

A statement said faulty seat belt anchor pretensioners can overheat and cause a cable to snap during deployment in a crash. The parts will be insulated to reduce temperatures generated when the pretensioners are activated. At least two accidents and two injuries are attributed to the defect.

The recall affects approximately 680,872 Fusion models built between 2013 and 2016, Mondeo models built between 2015 and 2016, and MKZ models built between 2013 and 2016 in plants in Michigan and Mexico, including 602,739 registered in the United States, 35,614 in Canada, 8,665 in Mexico and 653 elsewhere.

The Ford reference number for this recall is 16S42. Vehicles owners will be notified if they are affected by the recall, the statement said.