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Ford Recalls 156,000 Vehicles To Fix Takata-Related, Bronco Sport Issues

Ford has continued to reel under the impact of the Takata safety scandal. Last month, the automaker was forced to recall three million vehicles to repair or replace airbag inflators that may be using obsolete repair part kits.
Posted: February 22, 2021 - 9:05PM
Author: Marc Stern
2006 Ford Ranger as it sat following its recall

And so it rolls on and on. Ford, which last month recalled 3 million vehicles as part of the ongoing Takata safety recall, has recalled more vehicles to repair the deadly airbag inflators that have taken 26 lives worldwide and wounded more than 400 others. The recalls cover 156,000 vehicles.

Takata-Related Recall

This time Ford has again recalled vehicles involved in the Takata recall. The vehicles, according to Ford, may have had obsolete Takata service parts installed in either collision or theft repairs following completion of Takata recall work.

The need for this particular recall arose after Ford parts personnel identified some Takata airbag inflator modules that weren't taken from service stock after the parts for the permanent service fix became available. It required some extensive detective work by Ford service personnel to find the obsolete Takata service parts. Because Ford couldn't account for some of the obsolete Takata parts, the automaker noted that the airbag inflator modules covered by one of the recalls mentioned in this story might have been installed on vehicles as part of repair work.

Ford indicated that it is not aware of any reports of accident- or injury-related issues related to these issues. Ford notes that the vehicles involved are in two groups of vehicles that it has labeled populations.If you have been wondering what all the fuss about the Taktata recall has been go over to this detail of the history of the Takata recall.

Population 1

  • Ford used dealer records to identify 1,117 vehicles with collision repairs that may have been done with an obsolete service part after the Takata recall was completed. This involves 1,067 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 49 in Canada and one in Mexico.
  • The group comprises certain 2004-11 Ford Ranger, 2005-14 Ford Mustang, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-12 Ford Fusion, 2009-11 Mercury Milan, 2010-12 Lincoln MKZ, 2007-10 Ford Edge, and 2007-10 Lincoln MKX vehicles.
  • Dealers will inspect the driver or passenger airbag inflator or module and replace, if necessary.

Population 2

  • Ford could not locate 45 single-stage inflators that are compatible with 2004-06 Ford Ranger vehicles. It is possible that obsolete Takata service parts were installed for repairs after collision damage or theft.
  • This population involves 2004-06 Ford Ranger vehicles that had the Takata recall permanent repair performed before the service parts were purged, including 144,340 in the U.S. and federal territories, 8,762 in Canada, and five in Mexico.
  • At the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) request, Ford is issuing a safety recall for all 153,107 of these vehicles, notifying owners that they can visit their dealer for an inspection and, if necessary, an airbag inflator replacement.

    • The Ford reference number is 21C06.

Customer notifications will begin the week of March 8. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S05.

Safety Recall For 1,666 Ford Bronco Sports

In a second recall, Ford has recalled 1,666 Bronco Sport models with problem rear suspensions. According to Ford, the automaker may have built 1,666 Bronco Sports with rear suspension modules that may not have been thoroughly secured to the subframe.

Rear suspension modules with loose or missing bolts may affect the vehicle's stability, increasing the crash risk. Further, vehicles built with loose or missing bolts could also reduce rear-impact crash performance, increasing injury risk.

Ford noted that its recall affects 1,640 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, 24 in Canada, and two in Mexico. The automaker noted it isn't aware of any injuries or accidents related to this condition. Ford built the affected vehicles at its Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant, Mexico, from July 22 to November 24, 2020.

Dealers will confirm that the rear suspension bolts are correctly secured. If there is a problem, the dealer will replace them. Ford's reference number for this recall is 21S04.

Marc Stern has been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper's auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn't much on four wheels that I haven't driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Most of Marc's stories are part of Torque News Ford coverage. Check back again and search for Torque News Ford F-150 news for more F-150 truck news coverage.

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