Ford Motor (F, Financial) declared the recall of 850,000 vehicles in North America, Canada, and Mexico. Recalling is becoming a grave problem for the Detroit automakers. General Motors (GM, Financial), of late, is a classic example for this. Not only has the recall negatively impacted the top U.S. automaker’s image, but it is also costing the company big bucks. Ford’s latest recall is being done to fix a manufacturing snag that may prevent the air bags to release at the time of an accident.
Taking an overview of the matter
Ford decided to announce the recall after the carmaker identified some issues in the restraints control module. This control module is one of the essential safety systems integrated by Ford. It facilitates in carrying information between the front crash sensors and the other sensors so that the air bags are timely deployed and seat belt pretensioners are activated in the event of a crash. The carmaker said that of the total recalls, 746,842 vehicles are in the U.S., 82,962 belong to Canada, and 20,246 are in Mexico.
Ford suspects a short circuit in this module that can create a hindrance in the proper functioning of air bags and other protections. As of now the company hasn’t heard of any untoward event, accidents or deaths arising from this glitch. A host of Ford vehicles including the 2013-2014 Ford Escape crossovers, Fusion sedan, C-Max and luxury brand Lincoln MKZ have been identified with this problem. The Escape has been recalled as many as 12 times in the past couple of years with multiple issues ranging from coolant system leak, accelerator problem, to engine overheating.
Ford Escape, Picture from Ford website
This is the second incident in the last week when an American automaker had to issue a recall with respect to air bag malfunction. Just the day before Ford announced the recall, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles called for recalling 350,000 vehicles across the globe. Fiat says that the issue is with the ignition switch that can malfunction and cut connection with the car’s steering, engine, and the air bags.
Rising recalls worrying automakers
Automakers are increasingly becoming careful with technical or systems slip, particularly after General Motors’ controversial ignition switch problem in the older models that could inactivate the air bags system while the car’s being driven. This issue has led to at least 21 reported deaths and several injuries. General Motors identified 2.6 million vehicles with this problem and recalled it.
While this is obviously becoming an uncontrollable issue with automakers, they have to find a way out to restrict such glitches. A Ford spokesperson explained the growing recalls by saying that vehicles are more complex than ever before, and this calls for the greater number of issues. However, the company understands that it causes a lot of inconvenience to customers and raises safety issues. Ford is working to ensure the safety that its car promises.
Similar to what General Motors has done to minimize recalls, Center for Automotive Safety executive director Clarence Ditlow suggests Ford to build an investigation team to identify the root cause that causing such numerous recalls. It would help the company classify or categories the kind of problems it’s facing during the manufacture or assembly of the vehicle.
Parting thoughts
Safety issues pertaining the air bags deployment is becoming very common these days. Starting this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that is asking auto giants to give more information regarding the way the air bags are integrated in the car and how they function. What remains to be seen is how carmakers plan out to resolve is recurring issue.
