Vehicle Modifier Recalls Ford Transit Vans Over Seat Belt Concerns

Paratransit vehicle modifier Transitworks is issuing a safety recall on Driverge vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit vans equipped with Freedman Seating Company (FSC) PT Foldaway and GO-ES 3-point Foldaway seats.

The seat belt retractor block-out zone for these Transit vans may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies." There are approximately 241 vehicles that may have been affected.

Transitworks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact TransitWorks customer service at 1-855-337-9543. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.