Ford is recalling about 2.6 million vehicles in the U.S. to replace driver-side Takata airbags.
Ford proceeds with previously announced safety recall for multiple vehicles with certain Takata driver-side front airbag inflators, in accordance with NHTSA’s denial of Ford’s petition.
In affected vehicles, the driver-side front airbag inflators were installed as original equipment and contain a calcium sulfate desiccant. Takata determined that desiccated propellant in these inflators may degrade after long-term exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling, which could cause an inflator to rupture during airbag deployment. While this condition could result in serious injury or death, Ford is not aware of any reports of a rupture of an airbag with calcium sulfate desiccant.
Unlike previously recalled Takata airbag parts, these driver-side airbags contain a moisture-absorbing desiccant and perform differently. Ford believes its extensive data demonstrates that a safety recall is not warranted for the driver-side airbag and in August 2017 petitioned the National Highway Traffic Administration. However, the company respects NHTSA’s decision issued in January 2021 to deny Ford’s petition and is proceeding with this recall accordingly.
This action affects approximately 2.6 million vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 274,737 in Canada and 46,078 in Mexico.
It includes 2006-12 Ford Fusion, 2007-10 Ford Edge, 2007-11 Ford Ranger, 2006-11 Mercury Milan, 2006-12 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ, and 2007-10 Lincoln MKX vehicles.
Dealers will replace the driver-side front airbag inflator or airbag module. Owner notifications will begin the week of April 1.
The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S12.
