Ford Motor is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles in the US over a risk of children getting trapped in the back seat.
When the car’s battery is low, a software glitch could make the electronic door latches remain locked after the driver has shut the front door – possibly trapping someone in the back seat who is unable to use door handles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The unexpected lock-out could lead to serious injuries, especially during hot weather, the safety agency warned.
The recall of 197,432 vehicles includes 2021-2025 Mustang Mach E vehicles.
Ford estimates 100% of the vehicles have the defect, according to a recall report.
Customers should bring their vehicles to Ford dealers, where the software can be updated free of charge, the automaker said.
Letters notifying vehicle owners of the recall will be mailed by June 23, and a follow-up letter will be sent when the remedy is available, anticipated for September 29, Ford said.
The NHTSA contacted Ford in January about the software glitch after at least six customers said they had trouble opening the back door after exiting the vehicle, including two drivers who had children in the back seat.
Ford said the faulty part was taken out of production on June 3.
The automaker said it is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to the software glitch.
There are some warning signs that drivers can look out for to avoid the lock-out, Ford said.
Drivers may notice, for example, that the SYNC screen displays a “system off to save power” warning or simply turns blank after turning the car off.
They may also notice that inside release handles need to be pulled farther than normal to exit the vehicle through the front door.
