As with other major vehicle manufacturers, Ford Motor Company has been in the public eye a few times this year due to recalls involving several vehicle models. Last month, the vehicle manufacturer recalled approximately 465,000 vehicles due to possible fuel tank leaks that could lead to fires. This past weekend, Ford issued a recall for approximately 33,021 model year-2013 C-Max hybrid vehicles due to safety concerns involving the level of protection provided by the vehicles’ roofs in the event of an accident. The defective roofs pose a head injury hazard to drivers and passengers of the vehicles.
According to an article by CBS, the concern was raised when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted routine vehicle testing on the model and discovered that the roofs on the vehicles “exceeded a head injury criteria requirement.” The New York Times reports that the issue was discovered while the vehicles were undergoing testing to determine whether they meet part of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact. To date, no injuries related to the issue have been reported.
The affected C-Max models were manufactured between January 19, 2012 and June 25, 2013. The affected models do not have panoramic roofs. Ford is expected to issue the formal recall on August 19 by notifying owners and dealers. Dealers will install energy absorbers between the headliner and the roof to create more support on the vehicle.
Owners of the affected 2013 C-Max hybrid vehicles can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, or visit safercar.gov for more information. Additionally, the Ford Customer Relationship Center can be contacted at 866-436-7332. The current recall number for the 2013 C-Max models is 13C02.