Ford Adds Nearly 800,000 More Vehicles to Takata Airbag recall List

Dearborn, MI. – Feb. 26, 2019 – Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 782,384 vehicles as part of the wider ongoing Takata air bag recall. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles
  • 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles
  • 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles
  • 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles
  • 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles
  • 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles
  • 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles
  • 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles

Recall Summary

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Report filed on Jan. 7, the vehicles in question were originally equipped with a Takata air bag that included an ammonium nitrate powered inflator within the assembly of the passenger frontal air bag module. (The air bag inflators were also used as replacements, so vehicles which have had the air bag replaced may still have a faulty device.)

If a vehicle which is so equipped is involved in a crash and the front passenger airbag deploys, there is a significant risk of the inflators exploding. This is due to propellant degradation, which typically occurs in response to long-term exposure to weather in hot and humid environments.

If an inflator explodes out of the front of the airbag, flying pieces of metal can strike passengers and the driver and cause serious injuries or death.

The Zones designated for the Takata recall are being prioritized as their climate leads to more rapid degradation, and vehicles are being recalled in waves with the oldest makes and models first, do to the higher risk involved for such vehicles and the pace of production for replacement air bags being limited by the sheer number needed to replace all in service.

On May 3, 2016, an Amendment to the Nov. 3, 2015 Consent Order was filed after the NHTSA evaluated the rate at which propellant degradation may occur in non-desiccated frontal airbag inflators. It was adjudged that there was significant variation based on geographic factors affecting both environmental heat and humidity. The department further concluded that all non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators will reach a threshold level of degradation at some point, at which time the inflator has a significantly increased risk of becoming unreasonably dangerous.

According to previous filings, other than inflators already under recall, Takata is not aware of any test ruptures in ballistic testing or confirmed field incidents related to the subject non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflators. On Dec. 17, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee decided to issue the next phase of this recall to cover vehicles from the priority zones and years covering 2010 to 2014.

The repair

Owners will be notified by mail with instructions to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have their passenger frontal air bag inflator replaced, free of charge, with one that utilizes an inflator without ammonium nitrate. According to the owner letter from Ford, an appointment must be scheduled in accordance with parts and scheduling availability at the chosen dealer. The recall began Feb. 18, 2019.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 782,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 583,909 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesFord Adds Nearly 800,000 More Vehicles to Takata Airbag recall List

Ford recalls over 953,000 vehicles to replace inflators

Ford recalls over 953,000 vehicles to replace inflators

DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling more than 953,000 vehicles worldwide to replace Takata passenger air bag inflators that can explode and hurl shrapnel.

The move includes over 782,000 vehicles in the U.S. and is part of the largest series of recalls in U.S. history.

Included are the 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, the 2010 and 2011 Ford Ranger, the 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, the 2010 and 2011 Mercury Milan, and the 2010 to 2014 Ford Mustang…Read more on APNews.com

Sean ReyesFord recalls over 953,000 vehicles to replace inflators

Ford Recalls 215 Previously Recalled Vehicles for Potential Air Bag Malfunction

Laguna Hills, CA – November 27, 2018 – Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recalls 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. The potential number of units affected is 215.

The Defect

According to the NHTSA Recall Safety Report, in the event of a crash requiring deployment of the passenger air bag, the bracket that secures the air bag inflator to the module housing may deform, allowing the gas that inflates the air bag to leak out. If the air bag does not inflate properly, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash. All affected vehicles were previously repaired under safety recalls using passenger airbag module service parts manufactured with stop brackets with an incorrect material thickness. Ford identified the affected vehicle population by monitoring warranty repairs using its warranty system to identify vehicles repaired with a specific part number that contained incorrect material thickness stop brackets, and issued the subsequent recall for those vehicles alone, as the issue had been fixed at manufacturing level for subsequent builds.

Timeline of Events

For production validation (PV) testing, the supplier used a stop plate component that did not follow the proper production part approval process (PPAP) and was thicker than the specified material thickness. This resulted in a “false positive” validation test. The specified material thickness utilized in production was inadequate to provide expected performance. On October 4, 2018, Joyson Safety Systems (JSS) reported a production validation test failure while validating parts on a new production line at their Monclova plant on an airbag module produced as a service part for the 2010 through 2012 model year Fusion/Milan/MKZ vehicles.

On October 8, 2018, JSS observed a Lot Acceptance Test (LAT) failure on the same part produced at their Torreon plant. Parts used for LAT testing were  also assembled using an incorrect gage thickness stop plate. JSS halted production of the affected airbag modules and quarantined stock in its control. Investigation of the test failures identified that a stop plate utilized in the module assembly provided insufficient support during airbag deployment. This defect was declared to be an issue, potentially resulting in inflation gas leakage and incomplete airbag cushion inflation in the event of a crash. The subsequent investigation of the PV and LAT test failures further identified that PV testing for the initial production line at the Torreon facility was performed using similar stop plates produced with an incorrect material thickness.

On October 16, 2018, the PV and LAT test failures were brought into Ford’s Critical Concerns Review Group, and on October 25, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action.

The Solution

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in late November 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S34. Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the vehicle’s passenger airbag module replaced. There will be no charge for this service. Owners may also call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 18V-775.

Sean ReyesFord Recalls 215 Previously Recalled Vehicles for Potential Air Bag Malfunction

Hundreds of Thousands of Ford and Mercury Vehicles Recalled for Lighting Problems

Dearborn, MI — January 18, 2016 — Both Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles with model years between 2003 and 2005 are part of a new recall, begun late last month, in response to possible problems with the lighting control module. A total of 296,004 vehicles are potentially involved with this flaw, which could leave drivers without proper lighting while the vehicle is in operation.

The components come from supplier Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains why the module could fail. According to this document, the problem could stem from improper circuit soldering on different terminals. Although this condition will affect the headlights, it won’t necessarily impact other lighting functions in the vehicle. The components come from supplier Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.

“These solder joints may fatigue crack caused by repeated thermal cycling and/or vibration that can interrupt power to the headlights,” it reads. “The condition could be exacerbated by an insufficient amount of solder, reducing the adhesion between the solder and the terminal. Cracked solder joints on the circuit board of the LCM may result in loss of headlights while driving.”

The report also states that there have been 11 minor accidents and a single possible injury. Ford or Lincoln dealers are instructed to replace the defective modules free of charge. These recent Ford recalls come after previous investigations, closed in 2009, which determined the defects did not pose any risk to vehicle occupants. In April, 2014, the warranty for the module was extended to 15 years or 250,000 miles, the report also stated.

adminHundreds of Thousands of Ford and Mercury Vehicles Recalled for Lighting Problems

Ford Announces Fusion and Milan Recall for Fuel Tank Problems

Dearborn, MI — December 03, 2015 — In a new press release, Ford Motor Company announced a recall for a pair of models produced at its Hermosillo Assembly Plant. According to this statement, the recall applies to Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles: although they have model years ranging between 2010 and 2011, the manufacture dates range as far back as July, 2008. More than 411,200 vehicles in the United States alone are subject to this action.

In total, the entire recall includes 451,865 cars across North America, with most of the units found in the U.S. The manufacturer is concerned about possible fuel leaks in these vehicles, and states that affected models could be liable to dangerous cracks in the fuel tanks, leading to an increased safety risk.

“Some of these vehicles might have a canister purge valve that does not work properly, causing internal pressure changes inside the fuel tank,” the source said. “Repeated pressure changes inside the tank could result in a crack on the top of the tank, possibly allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire.” The remedy may require dealers to replace the fuel tank entirely, but only after inspecting it first.

In the same release, Ford also announced a separate recall for 13 F-650 autos produced between this July and September. The mechanism that positions these vehicles in “park” could theoretically break, so the manufacturer has called for dealers to replace affected steering columns as a remedy.

Earlier this year, a different series of Ford recalls targeted Fusion and Milan models, among others, for steering motor sensor difficulties.

adminFord Announces Fusion and Milan Recall for Fuel Tank Problems

Ford Announces Series of Recalls

Dearborn, MI — October 13, 2015 — Ford has begun the new month with several recalls affecting some of its most visible brands, including the Ford Escape, F-150, Taurus and Explorer models. The manufacturer has currently received a minimal number of reports in response to five different Ford recalls, but dealers are taking action to fix the issues for free.

Ford announced these recalls in one single press release on September 30, explaining the individual conditions that have collectively affected hundreds of thousands of vehicles. While the recalls encompass all of North America, the United States is the source of most of the recovered units.

Model years range as far back as 2001 for the transmission issues associated with Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles. This particular recall concerns a shift control lever bolt that could be loose. The transmission systems in these vehicles were actually remanufactured between this June and July, and will concern nearly 70 individual autos.

The largest of the five recalls involves a range of 342,271 Ford Windstars produced between 1997 and 2003. These were built at the company’s Oakville Assembly Plant and will have the rear axle replaced if the reinforcement brackets are found to have been installed improperly. The rear axle in these vehicles could fracture despite the effects of a previous recall meant to address this issue by adding safety brackets.

Other issues that prompted this recall include fuel tank noncompliance, adaptive cruise control radar and shift control brackets in stripped chassis vehicles. All told, the combined recalls reportedly involve as many as 380,000 vehicles, according to MLive.

adminFord Announces Series of Recalls

Ford issues new pair of recalls for more than 442,000 vehicles

Detroit, MI — May 26, 2015 — Ford announced two new recalls in a single statement issued on May 27. Together, these recalls concern more than 442,000 vehicles across North America, most of which are in the United States, and so far neither of the conditions the company is addressing have resulted in any known injuries, although one has led to four “minor accidents” that could be related to one of the concerns.

Those accidents are attributed to the larger of the two recalls, which includes a group of some 422,800 vehicles for the model years between 2011 and 2013. Affected models include Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan automobiles, originating from assembly plants in Chicago, Hermosillo and Oakville. These vehicles are at risk of a electric power steering fault that could suddenly shift steering modes while the vehicle is in use.

The other recall targets a much smaller group of 19,486 2015 Ford Mustangs, specifically those with 2.3 liter engines. The release says that the underbodies of these vehicles are potentially more vulnerable in higher temperatures.

“Prolonged exposure to elevated underbody temperatures might cause degradation of the fuel tank and fuel vapor lines, which could eventually result in a fuel leak,” it says. “In addition, prolonged exposure to elevated underbody temperatures might cause the parking brake cable seals to degrade, potentially affecting parking brake functions.”

In both cases, car dealers will perform the necessary repairs, although the steering issue may require an additional new gear replacement if a simple software fix isn’t enough. The Associated Press reports that 508 related complaints have been traced back to the steering fault, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

With all of the correct recall information in mind, dealers and car owners alike will be able to take the proper action when any significant recall is needed and reduce risk.

Recall MastersFord issues new pair of recalls for more than 442,000 vehicles