September 6, 2018—Ford Motor is recalling nearly 2 million pickup trucks to fix a seat belt defect that could trigger vehicle fires, reported Detroit Free Press.
The recall affects the crown jewel of Ford's lineup: the F-150 pickup. The F-series lineup is the best selling vehicle model in the U.S, according to the report.
The move came after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into the matter in early August after receiving reports of five fires due to the defect, including three that engulfed and destroyed the vehicle.
The company said it had identified at least 23 "reports of smoke or fire" but no injuries or accidents connected to the defect.
According to the report, the recall covers the 2015-18 model-year Ford F-150 made from March 12, 2014 through Aug. 23, 2018, in Dearborn, Mich., and from Aug. 20, 2014, through Aug. 23, 2018, in Kansas City.
The recall is expected to cost Ford about $140 million, according to a public filing.
