Takata-Afflicted Ford Rangers Recalled for Replacement Inflators — Again
Of the numerous vehicles affected by the massive Takata airbag inflator crisis, attention has turned most to the Ford Ranger in recent months following a Takata-related death in November and, now, a new recall to address a population of the pickup trucks that was improperly repaired in two previous recalls.
Related: Is Your Car Part of the Takata Airbag Recall?
This latest guidance affects nearly 99,000 model-year 2004-06 Rangers that were previously recalled under directives in December 2017 and January 2018 for their front passenger-side front airbag inflators. Takata’s faulty inflators can degrade after long-term humidity exposure and inflate with too much force during an airbag deployment, sending metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin. The defect has been linked to more than 20 deaths in the U.S., and at least 67 million inflators have been recalled in tens of millions of vehicles.
According to Ford, the affected Rangers were taken in during those recalls but replaced with inflators installed in an incorrect orientation. The automaker added it was not aware of any related accidents or injuries.
To fix the problem, dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger airbag inflator, as necessary, for free. Ford will begin notifying owners March 27; those with further questions can contact the automaker at 866-436-7332 (Ford’s number for this recall is 23S08), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.
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