Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 232,000 older model Ranger trucks in the US due to a potentially faulty installation of front passenger airbag inflators. This recall comes on the heels of the previous recall of 98,000 Rangers earlier this year for the same issue. Affected Rangers are certain models from the years 2004 to 2006.
The safety recall is necessary as the improperly installed inflators may cause airbags to fail to inflate properly or at all, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. As per recall documents, dealers will inspect and repair the inflators as necessary, free of charge to the customer.
This move is a part of a wider recall that has occurred over the past several years involving millions of vehicles from different automakers containing these specific types of airbag inflators. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has already declared the inflators dangerous and ordered their complete recall.
According to the NHTSA reports, the use of ammonium nitrate as an airbag propellant can degrade over time, which can cause inflators to rupture during airbag deployment. When this happens, the inflator can send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death to passengers.
The ongoing recall has become a sizeable financial burden on automakers worldwide, with escalating costs of recovery due to the growing number of vehicles affected. In Ford’s case, the recall has already cost the company over $610 million, with additional expenses expected to accrue in the coming months, affecting their overall gross margins.
Currently, the affected models are mainly Pickup and SUVs. However, the recall could expand into other Ford vehicles if the company finds issues with their airbag inflators. This reinforces the reality that the problem is spreading wider as the automakers are struggling to address the faulty equipment.
The Ranger recall is expected to commence by August 16th of this year. Ford is urging customers with affected trucks to bring them into dealerships for inspection and potential repairs, free of cost.
In conclusion, the recall is a crucial step towards minimizing risks to passengers’ safety, following the sad reality of accidents and deaths caused by faulty inflators. However, the recall is also a critical insight into a more comprehensive problem connected to airbags in cars that automakers will need to address to ensure that passengers are safe on the roads.
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