Ford announced an auto recall impacting 100,000 Ranger pickup trucks after learning that replacements for the defective Takata passenger airbags may have been incorrectly installed. In the event of an accident, the improperly installed airbags would not deploy as they should, exposing occupants to injuries.
The recall impacts Ranger vehicles from the 2004 through 2006 model years.
Takata Airbag Recall Continues To Concern Automakers
The Takata airbag recall is the largest and most complex recall in America’s auto history, impacting 42 million vehicles nationwide. At least 34 automakers were affected.
The earlier recall involving Ford Rangers was launched after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered Takata to recall all airbag inflators that could explode mid-deployment, sending metal shrapnel into the vehicle’s cabin. Following two airbag explosions that led to fatalities, Ford told Ranger owners they should not drive the vehicles until airbags were replaced. However, the automaker now has reason to believe the replacement airbags require proper installation.
Ford Issued Recall After Uncovering Poorly Fitted Airbags In Cars
Ford told regulators that the automaker learned that seven Rangers had improperly installed airbag inflators following the initial Takata recall. When questioned, repair team members told Ford they didn’t read the installation instructions prior to performing the inflator replacement. This discovery led to the present recall.
The automaker is notifying impacted car owners they should bring their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealership where technicians will inspect the passenger airbags and, if necessary, replace it.
The company redesigned the airbag installation kits so that repair teams can only install replacement parts in the proper orientation, preventing the issues that prompted this recall.
If you own one of the recalled vehicles and worry about your safety or have any further questions, contact the manufacturer at 866-436-7332. The firm will begin mailing recall notifications to registered car owners starting March 27, 2023.
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