NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
375 reports7,000 miles · Aug 7, 2017
Service Brakes
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND NOTICED MY PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR FLASHING. I DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE THAT WAS MOVING FREELY WAS BOUNCING AROUND ENOUGH NEAR THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGEMENT POINT TO TURN ON THE LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT THEY TIGHTENED SOMETHIN…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND NOTICED MY PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR FLASHING. I DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE THAT WAS MOVING FREELY WAS BOUNCING AROUND ENOUGH NEAR THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGEMENT POINT TO TURN ON THE LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND THAT THEY TIGHTENED SOMETHING BUT IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CORRECT FIX INVOLVES REMOVING THE CENTER CONSOLE TO GET ACCESS TO THE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE BRAKE CABLES. THIS HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED YET. THIS IS ONE OF FOUR PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THIS IS SOMEWHAT A SAFETY CONCERN. DEPENDING ON HOW LOOSE THIS IS, PARKING ON A SLOPE COULD FIND THE CAR IN A PREDICAMENT WHERE IT COULD GET LOOSE AND ROLL AWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11013479
7,000 miles · Aug 7, 2017
Electrical System
AFTER ABOUT 8 MONTHS OF PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE THE BACKUP CAMERA BEGAN TO ACT UP. THE CAMERA WOULD OCCASIONALLY GO TO STATIC OR A COMPLETELY BLACK SCREEN. I HAD FINALLY MANAGED TO HAVE TAKEN A VIDEO AND PRODUCED IT FOR THE MECHANIC TO SEE. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE SO THEY HAD BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON THE H…
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AFTER ABOUT 8 MONTHS OF PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE THE BACKUP CAMERA BEGAN TO ACT UP. THE CAMERA WOULD OCCASIONALLY GO TO STATIC OR A COMPLETELY BLACK SCREEN. I HAD FINALLY MANAGED TO HAVE TAKEN A VIDEO AND PRODUCED IT FOR THE MECHANIC TO SEE. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE SO THEY HAD BLAMED THE PROBLEM ON THE HEAT. WHILE I AGREE IT IS HOT IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SORTED OUT DURING THE DEVELOPMENT CYCLES OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CAMERA. ARIZONA THE LAST I CHECKED IS A PART OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE FORD EXISTS AS A COMPANY AND ROAD TESTS VEHICLES ON ACCOUNT OF THE HEAT. THESE ARE SITUATIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIGURED OUT ALREADY. YOU ARE NOT EXPECTED TO RELY ON BACKUP CAMERAS, BUT IN A VEHICLE LIKE THIS IT IS AN IMPORTANT WAY OF BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR AND IS A PREMIUM ITEM. THIS IS ONE OF FOUR COMPLAINTS I HAVE HAD ABOUT THIS VEHICLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
NHTSA ODI #11013474
300 miles · Aug 7, 2017
Power Train
SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 300 MILES I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS AT TIMES, HARD TO SHIFT, WOULD GRIND A GEAR. LOCKED ME OUT OF A GEAR, AND IN GENERAL CAN SHAKE AND PRODUCE LOUD THUMPING NOISES WHEN ENGAGING GEARS WHILE SITTING AT A STANDSTILL OR EVEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD …
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SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 300 MILES I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS AT TIMES, HARD TO SHIFT, WOULD GRIND A GEAR. LOCKED ME OUT OF A GEAR, AND IN GENERAL CAN SHAKE AND PRODUCE LOUD THUMPING NOISES WHEN ENGAGING GEARS WHILE SITTING AT A STANDSTILL OR EVEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THIS WAS NORMAL BEHAVIOR. I HAD TEST DROVE MORE THAN ONE CAR BEFORE PURCHASING THIS ONE. NONE OF THE OTHERS BEHAVED THIS WAY. I HAVE DONE MORE RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY INTERMITTENT ISSUE BETWEEN BUILDS OF THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN FOR SERVICE. THEY HAD REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION AND SERVICED SOME PARTS. UPON GETTING THE CAR BACK IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WENT BACK TO DOING THE SAME THING. THIS IS NOT A BIG SAFETY CONCERN, BUT COULD CAUSE BIGGER AND MORE EXPENSIVE ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD DEPENDING ON WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS ONE OF FOUR COMPLAINTS I HAVE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
NHTSA ODI #11013468
9,000 miles · Aug 7, 2017
Steering
HAVE HAD ISSUES THAT THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT ACROSS LANES UNDER ANY AMOUNTS OF ACCELERATION OR SPEEDS. ONE TIRE HAD GONE COMPLETELY WARN OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE THE PROBLEM WAS MOST NOTICEABLE. AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON THE PROBLEM SWITCHED ITSELF TO STEERING TO THE LEFT INSTEAD. THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING…
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HAVE HAD ISSUES THAT THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT ACROSS LANES UNDER ANY AMOUNTS OF ACCELERATION OR SPEEDS. ONE TIRE HAD GONE COMPLETELY WARN OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE THE PROBLEM WAS MOST NOTICEABLE. AFTER NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON THE PROBLEM SWITCHED ITSELF TO STEERING TO THE LEFT INSTEAD. THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS WERE INSPECTED AS WELL AS TIRE ALIGNMENT. NO MECHANICAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN FOUND. TO JUSTIFY THE CARS BEHAVIOR I WAS INSTEAD FALSELY ACCUSED OF MISHANDLING THE CAR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND PROVIDED PAPERWORK THAT CLAIMED IT WAS NORMAL FOR FORDS WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPAS/PDC) TO DRIFT AROUND THE ROAD ON THEIR OWN AND THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS IS ONE OF FOUR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS CAR THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED.
NHTSA ODI #11013463
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2017
Power Train
CLUNKING WHEN SHIFTING. THIS APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD ON 2015, 2016, AND 2017 FORD MUSTANGS. AFTER PROBLEM APPEARS, FORD TELLS CONSUMER IT IS NORMAL. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND FORD IS NOT ADDRESSING IT.
NHTSA ODI #11010351
4,500 miles · Jul 24, 2017
Power Train
CLUNKING IN SHIFTING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. LOAD CLUNK IN REAR OF CAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STANDING STOP. PROBLEM APPEARED AT 4,500 MILES ON NEW VEHICLE. FORD ATTEMPTED TO FIX, TOOK 3 VISITS AND OVER ONE MONTH. PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. FORD NOW TELLS ME CLUNKING IS NORMAL. I AM AFRAID THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11010334
26,260 miles · Jul 20, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspensionCrash
I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 MUSTANG GT BASE MODEL DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL "ON" AND THE CAR RANDOMLY LOCKED ALL OF THE WHEELS AND TURNED SIDEWAYS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONLY STOPPING WHEN I HIT A CURB. WHILE SLIDING THERE WAS NO THROTTLE OR BRAKE CONTROL BECAUSE THE TRACTION SYSTEM LOCKED ALL FOUR WHEELS. I WE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 MUSTANG GT BASE MODEL DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL "ON" AND THE CAR RANDOMLY LOCKED ALL OF THE WHEELS AND TURNED SIDEWAYS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND ONLY STOPPING WHEN I HIT A CURB. WHILE SLIDING THERE WAS NO THROTTLE OR BRAKE CONTROL BECAUSE THE TRACTION SYSTEM LOCKED ALL FOUR WHEELS. I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER PREVIOUS TO THIS INSTANCE TO COMPLAIN THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS NOISY AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL ON CERTAIN ROAD SURFACES AND IT FELT VERY UNSAFE. AFTER GIVING THEM THIS INFORMATION THEY SCHEDULED ME FOR AN APPOINTMENT A WEEK LATER AND LET ME DRIVE OFF. SUBSEQUENT TO SAY, THE VEHICLE TOTALLY LOST CONTROL 3 DAYS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. ROAD SURFACE WAS DRY, IT WAS SUNNY 94 DEGREES AND I WAS TRAVELING AT 40MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD AND MY VEHICLE HAS 26K MILES. THE NOISE AND CONTROL ISSUE WAS MINISCULE BUT EXISTENT ON THE VEHICLE AT 14K MILES AND ONLY KEPT GETTING WORSE. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY WERE VERY DEFENSIVE AND MORE CONCERNED ABOUT CHARGING ME FOR THE DAMAGES THAT RESULTED FROM THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTION. I REQUESTED THAT THE COMPUTER LOGS BE PRESERVED AND SENT TO FORD AS IT MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CHARGE ME EXTRA FOR THAT AND THAT IT WOULD BE QUITE EXPENSIVE AS TO DISCOURAGE ME FROM REPORTING IT. I RETAINED A PRINTOUT OF MY INITIAL COMPLAINT THAT WAS DOCUMENTED AT THE DEALER UPON MY INITIAL VISIT. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND IS BEING DIAGNOSED FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11006567
4,572 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
PURCHASE DATE 4-16. EIGHT DOCUMENTED VISITS TO DEALER/REPAIR. OTHER VISITS WHERE SERVICE ADVISER SAID TO RETURN WHEN SYSTEM FAILURES WERE HAPPENING, AS PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE BEFORE I ARRIVED AT SERVICE. RE WATER INSIDE, DRIVER DOOR ISSUES, SYNC, CAMERA/STEREO ELECTRICAL ISSUES INCLUDE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES, TAKES MUL…
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PURCHASE DATE 4-16. EIGHT DOCUMENTED VISITS TO DEALER/REPAIR. OTHER VISITS WHERE SERVICE ADVISER SAID TO RETURN WHEN SYSTEM FAILURES WERE HAPPENING, AS PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE BEFORE I ARRIVED AT SERVICE. RE WATER INSIDE, DRIVER DOOR ISSUES, SYNC, CAMERA/STEREO ELECTRICAL ISSUES INCLUDE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AT TIMES, TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BE GRANTED ACCESS INTO CAR, THUS CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN. SYNC GOES OUT FAIRLY REGULARLY INCLUDING PHONE FUNCTION, BACK UP CAMERA, STEREO. CURRENTLY IN SHOP AGAIN SINCE 7-3-17 @ 9 AM.(16 CONSECUTIVE DAYS THIS TRIP). SAFETY CONCERN OF MOST IMPORTANCE TO ME IS THE FACT THAT CAR HAS LOST POWER MULTIPLE TIMES ON HIGHWAY AND THANKFULLY HAS NOT YET BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. QUICK REFLEXES OF DRIVERS BEHIND ME ARE ONLY REASONS THAT ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN AVOIDED THUS FAR. I AM TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTION. THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED AFTER A NEAR REAR END ACCIDENT ( HIGHWAY/ INTERSECTION/TURN). THROTTLE BODY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING CAR INSTANTLY DECELERATED WITH NO ACCELERATION CAPABILITY. ONE WEEK LATER THROTTLE BODY FAILS AGAIN CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IN NATURE DUE TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY. MY 7 YEA OLD WAS IN REAR SEAT. MY CHILDREN ARE NO LONGER FOR ANY REASON ALLOWED IN THE VEHICLE SINCE OCTOBER 2016. THROTTLE BODY HAS YET AGAIN BEEN REPLACED JUNE 2017. THIRD ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS CAR WITH NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS A REPAIR, IT SEEMS TO BE MERELY A REPAIR ATTEMPT AS THIS PROCESS OF ATTEMPTED REPAIRS HAS CAUSED 3 NEAR REAR ACCIDENTS. THIS CAR HAS PROVEN ITSELF TO BE A DANGER ON THE ROAD AND A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THIS VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. LOW MILEAGE IS INDICATOR OF HOW UNTRUSTWORTHY VEHICLE IS TO ME. IT IS ONLY DRIVEN BY ME, NO PASSENGERS ALLOWED. ONLY DRIVEN IF ANOTHER CAR CAN NOT BE BORROWED. UNRESOLVED ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #11006120
18,200 miles · Jun 4, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS IN A WRECK THAT TOTALED MY VEHICLE. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL. CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY NOSE. HAD STITCHES, BROKEN NOSE. ALREADY HAVE HAD ONE SURGERY AND STILL HAVE TO HAVE ONE MORE. I WAS ON A A REGULAR STREET AND SWERVED A DEER AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10993082
1,000 miles · May 26, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD MUSTANG. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTED GEARS, A PINGING METAL SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD MUSTANG. WHENEVER THE CONTACT SHIFTED GEARS, A PINGING METAL SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. ..UPDATED 07/31/17 *BF *CN
NHTSA ODI #10991787
Official recalls
5Sep 12, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. Water and road salt may corrode the front seat belt anchor pretensioner cables.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A corroded cable can break, preventing the seat belt from properly restraining an occupant, and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both front seat belt anchor pretensioner assemblies, as necessary. In addition, dealers will remove sections of the carpet and underlayment that contact the cables. Dealers will also inspect the A-pillar sealing patches, and as necessary, install A-pillar body plugs, and/or inspect and replace the front outboard seat bolts. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 20, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S92. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov September 17, 2025.
Sep 3, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
Feb 16, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera wiring may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the decklid wiring harness and/or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2022 and June 26, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the 4th Quarter of 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S06.
Oct 26, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Mustang vehicles manufactured February 24, 2015, to August 30, 2016. A hose may separate from the engine oil cooler tube assembly causing an oil leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A sudden loss of engine oil may cause engine failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, an oil leak, in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil cooler tube assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 23, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S40.
Oct 26, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015. The front and rear seat belts and child seat tether anchors may have been damaged in shipping from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant and may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the restraint components do not function as intended, the occupants may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front and rear seat belt assemblies and the child seat tether anchors, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C13.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat:tether: Connector/clip
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015. The front and rear seat belts and child seat tether anchors may have been damaged in shipping from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant and may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
Consequence: If the restraint components do not function as intended, the occupants may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front and rear seat belt assemblies and the child seat tether anchors, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C13.
Seat Belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Mustang vehicles manufactured September 26, 2015, to October 1, 2015. The front and rear seat belts and child seat tether anchors may have been damaged in shipping from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant and may not adequately restrain the occupant in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems."
Consequence: If the restraint components do not function as intended, the occupants may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front and rear seat belt assemblies and the child seat tether anchors, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C13.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Illustration