Ford to recall 3 million vehicles over airbag issues, after losing fight 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 did not need to be replaced.

The recall concerns a defect in the airbags manufactured by Takata, a Japanese manufacturer who is now bankrupt. Another version of the Takata airbag had a defect in the inflator which detonated a number of bags, projecting shrapnel through the vehicle. In addition to the 18 dead, more than 400 drivers or passengers were injured, including blinded or maimed.
Recalls related to Takata airbags began in 2014 and, overall, eventually became the largest automotive recall in history. Prior to this week’s announcement, the U.S. side of the recall had already hit 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 have said they still pose a risk.

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

Ford models included in the recall

The recalled models include the 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, 2006-2012 Ford Fusion, 2006-2012 Lincoln Zephyr, 2007-2010 Ford Edge and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX. The recalled Mazda vehicles are pickup trucks. the B series 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 site. Ford will repair the airbags and vehicle owners will not be charged.

It will cost Ford $ 610 million to replace the airbags following the NHTSA decision. Due to Takata’s bankruptcy, Ford bears all the costs itself.

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

‘The seriousness of the consequence’

NHTSA officials, however, said the airbags became more prone to malfunction over time and that the “seriousness of the consequences” for passengers and drivers when inflators ruptured was too severe. “What Ford presents here, while valuable and informative in some ways, suffers from far too many shortcomings,” the agency wrote in its decision.

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