Ford will recall 3 million vehicles due to airbag problems after losing the fight with the safety regulator

Ford will recall 3 million vehicles due to airbag problems after losing the fight with the safety regulator

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The change comes after the The National Road Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday rejected Ford’s argument that this version of the airbags did not need to be replaced.

The recall focuses on a defect in the airbags of Takata, a failed Japanese manufacturer. Another version of the Takata airbag had a defect in the inflator that caused several bags to explode, scattering shrapnel throughout the vehicle. In addition to the 18 deaths, more than 400 drivers or passengers were injured, including the blind or mutilated.
The recalls linked to Takata airbags started in 2014 and, in total, ended up becoming the largest auto recall in history. Prior to this week’s announcement, the American portion of the recall had already reached 67 million airbags in more than 40 million vehicles.

Although the Takata airbags used by Ford are a different, but similar, version of those involved in previous recalls, safety regulators said they still pose a risk.

NHTSA in November rejected a similar appeal for General Motors (GM), forcing the automaker to recall 7 million pickups and SUVs. The agency also rejected an appeal from Mazda, but it covered only 5,800 American pickups that were built for the automaker.

Ford models included in the recall

Models covered by the recall include the Ford Ranger from 2007 to 2011, the Ford Fusion from 2006 to 2012, the Lincoln Zephyr from 2006 to 2012, the Ford Edge from 2007 to 2010 and the Lincoln MKX from 2007 to 2010. Mazda vehicles in recall are Series B pickups from 2007 to 2009.

Owners will be notified if their vehicle is included in the recall, or they can enter the VIN number on this website. Ford will repair the airbags and vehicle owners will not be charged.

It will cost Ford $ 610 million to replace airbags as a result of the NHTSA decision. Because of Takata’s bankruptcy, Ford is paying all costs alone.

“Safety is always a priority,” said Ford spokeswoman Monique Brentley. “Unlike other Takata passenger-side airbag parts previously recalled, these driver-side airbags contain a moisture absorber [material] and perform differently. We believe that our extensive data demonstrated that a safety recall was not guaranteed for the driver’s side airbag. However, we respect the NHTSA decision and will issue a recall. “

‘The severity of the consequence’

NHTSA officials, however, said that airbags become more prone to malfunction over time, and that the “severity of the consequences” for passengers and drivers when the inflator ruptures is very serious. “What Ford presents here, while valuable and informative in some ways, suffers from many shortcomings,” wrote the agency in its decision.

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