Ford recalling 3 million older models over Takata airbags
After the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration denied the automaker an exemption, Ford disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday that the company will be conducting a field service action to replace Takata airbag inflators in certain vehicles that are mostly at least 10 years old.
Ford said the recall will include approximately 2.7 million vehicles in the United States and approximately 0.3 million vehicles in Canada and other locations.
The specific vehicles included in the campaign are:
— 2007-2011 Ford Ranger
— 2006-2012 Ford Fusion
— 2007-2010 Ford Edge
— 2006-2012 Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr
— 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX
— 2006-2011 Mercury Milan
Ford said the cost of the action is estimated to be about $610 million and will be reflected in its fourth-quarter results.
“Consistent with our corporate policy, which considers the magnitude of individual field service actions, the expense will be treated as a special item. Accordingly, it will not impact our total Company adjusted EBIT or adjusted earnings per share,” Ford said in the filing.
Ford explained the recall applies to the PSDI-5 design desiccated Takata inflators, which are different in design and performance from earlier recalled non-desiccated Takata inflators.
“When NHTSA extended a finding of defect in 2017 to these desiccated inflators, we retained technical experts to conduct a comprehensive technical study and testing protocol,” Ford said. “In addition to confirming the absence of any field failures of this family of inflators, the study concluded that the PSDI-5 desiccated inflators did not evidence degradation that would lead to a risk of future failures warranting a recall.
“We filed a Petition for Inconsequentiality with NHTSA in July 2017, seeking exemption from the recall requirements of the Safety Act because the risks identified were so remote that they were inconsequential to safety,” Ford continued while noting that the petition was denied on Tuesday.
Jerry Cox, who is chairman and chief executive officer with Potomac Strategy Associates, returned for another appearance on the Auto Remarketing Podcast in December to discuss one of the most complicated — and potentially deadly — challenges currently facing the industry.
Cox shared how more automakers, including General Motors and Volvo, are being caught in the maelstrom created by defective Takata airbags. But Cox also described how auctions and dealers could be the key for the entire industry solving the problem and mitigating risk.
To listen to the entire conversation, click on the link available below, or visit the Auto Remarketing Podcast page.
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