Ford will recall 3 million vehicles for airbag problems after losing battle with safety regulator

Ford will recall 3 million vehicles for airbag problems after losing battle with safety regulator

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

The recall focuses on a lack of airbags made by Takata, a Japanese manufacturer that is now bankrupt. Another version of the Takata airbag had a defect in the inflatable that caused a number of the bags to explode, spraying makeup through the vehicle. In addition to the 18 deaths, more than 400 drivers or passengers were injured, including blinded or maimed.
Recalls attached to the Takata airbags began in 2014 and eventually became the largest car recall in history. Prior to this week’s announcement, the U.S. 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 to those used in previous memories, safety regulators said they still pose a risk.

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

Ford models included in the recall

The 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 MKX from 2007 to 2010. The Mazda vehicles recalled are the B-Series pickups from 2007 to 2009.

Owners will be notified if their vehicle is included in the recall, or if 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 the airbags as a result of NHTSA’s decision. Due to Takata’s bankruptcy, Ford pays all costs itself.

“Safety is always a top priority,” Ford spokeswoman Monique Brentley said. “Unlike other Takata passenger-side airbag parts that were previously recalled, these driver-side airbags contain a moisture-absorbing agent [material] and perform differently. We believe our extensive data showed that a safety recall was not necessary for the airbag to the driver. However, we respect the decision of NHTSA and will issue a repeal. ‘

‘The seriousness of the consequence’

However, NHTSA officials said the airbags are becoming more susceptible to malfunction over time, and that the “severity of the consequences” for passengers and drivers if the inflation is inflated is too severe. “What Ford is offering here, while valuable and informative in some respects, suffers from too many shortcomings,” the agency wrote in its decision.

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