Auto manufacturer Ford has announced a recall of approximately 196,500 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, which have been manufactured between 2004 and 2007. The vehicles have been recalled for a safety problem with the third row seats.

These recalls take effect in the US, while another 33,500 vans are being recalled elsewhere globally and primarily in Canada. The minivans experience corrosion in their 3rd row seats in such a way that they cannot be folded down properly and locked into place.

However, the company said that it did not think that the problem will  pose an unreasonable risk. It went on to say that it has just proceeded with the recall so as to just solve the issue and to avoid problems with its administration. The recall in the US is limited to Washington D.C. and 20 other states like Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, New Hampshire, Delaware, Minnesota, Vermont and Rhode Island, among others.

Kelli Felker, the spokesperson of Ford said that the owners of the affected models outside the states, where the recalls are happening, must contact their local dealer if they feel that there is a problem with corrosion in the vehicle.