Yakima recalls problematic 2012-2013 Ford Focus roof racks

Yakima Products Inc. has issued a recall on certain combined Q-Tower and Q128 Clip rooftop rack systems used on model-year 2012 and 2013 Ford Focus vehicles. The affected aftermarket parts so not fully contact the door frame, which may lead to inadequate clamping pressure and friction. Consequently, the unit may slide off the vehicle when it is loaded. Such an occurrence may lead to possible road hazards and/or injuries to pedestrians, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall affects 440 units. The affected units contain the part numbers 8000124 and 8000728.

Yakima will begin notifying Ford Focus owners and Yakima dealers this month. Owners will be refunded the purchase price of the Q-Tower and Q-128 Clip system. Unfortunately, there is no replacement system available for 2012-2013 Ford Focus models. Owners may contact Yakima at 1-888-925-4621 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. The NHTSA Campaign ID Number is 12E035000.

Yakima's Q-Tower system is an adjustable rooftop car rack unit that is designed to fit your vehicle like a "custom tailored tuxedo," according to Yakima. The "Q" stands for Quadruple Movement, meaning that the tower and clip move in for different ways.

Yakima issued a similar recall last year concerning its FrontLoader roof rack. The April 2011 recall involved a small number of roof racks manufactured from March 2012 through December 2010. Unlike the current recall, Yakima was able to provide last year’s recall customers with a replacement unit, free of charge.

Paddlesport enthusiasts and married couple Otto and Jeanne Lagervall founded Yakima in 1973. Otto originally handmade foot braces for canoes and kayaks prior to creating roof racks, which were first used for hauling ladders and pruning equipment. Since then, Yakima has become an industry leader in roof rack system for bicycles, skis, kayaks and other cargo.

Aside from Yakima two minor recalls, fellow roof rack company and rival Thule issued a more substantial recall in 2009. Thule’s recall concerned over 2,300 owner-installed roof-mounted fit kits. The affected units contained bolts that did not meet Thule’s hardness requirements, making them brittle and breakable. The recall impacted numerous vehicles including the 2007-2009 Mazda CX-7, 2007-2009 Mazda CX-9, 2004-2009 Mazda3, 2006-2009 Mazda5, 2003-2009 Mazda6, 2009 Subaru Forester, 2008-2009 Subaru Impreza, 2008-2009 Subaru Impreza STI, 2008-2009 Subaru Impreza WRX, and 2008-2009 Subaru Outback Sport.