Ford advised the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration late final week that it’s recalling simply shy of 100,000 older Ranger pickups to provide its technicians a second go at correctly changing doubtlessly lethal Takata airbag inflators. The elements in query would have been put in as a part of the unique Takata airbag recall marketing campaign launched in 2017, however apparently among the replacements had been oriented incorrectly, which may stop the airbag from functioning correctly within the occasion of a collision.
That is perhaps marginally higher than getting blasted within the face or neck by Takata-branded shrapnel, but it surely’s nonetheless not nice. As of its discover to regulators, Ford mentioned seven autos with incorrect inflator orientation have already been recognized and changed. What went unsuitable the primary time? In brief, the apparent. This is the reason, immediately from Ford’s recall documentation:
“Ford service directions embrace diagrams and directions for correct airbag inflator set up,” it mentioned. “Technicians who mis-installed the inflator advised Ford they didn’t overview the directions previous to set up.”
In different phrases, when conducting crucial security recollects, perhaps it’s best to RTFM. The corporate has reviewed data of the earlier recall work and decided which vans had been more likely to have been improperly fastened. Notices will likely be circulated to house owners beginning in March. Within the meantime, clients who’re involved that their vans might have a non-functioning airbag can contact Ford’s customer support line (1-866-436-7332) or a neighborhood Ford or Lincoln supplier for clarification.
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