Ford: The Latest Automaker to Stop Using Takata Airbags in Future Cars

Kuala Lumpur: Ford has become the fifth automaker to stop using Takata airbags in future cars, following Toyota, Mazda, Nissan and Honda. All these automakers have already dropped Takata as their official airbags supplier, following massive recalls due to its faulty airbags. “Ford Motor Company products currently in development will not be equipped with Takata airbag inflators that use ammonium nitrate,” said a Ford spokeswoman, Kelli Felker.

Also Read: Honda Plans to Stop the Usage of Takata Airbags

Ammonium nitrate is a part of the composition of propellant of Takata airbags, which when subjected to heat and moisture, can render the inflators unstable, thus causing it rupture with excessive force, spewing the metal shards into the cabin of the car. As of now, eight people have died and over hundred injuries have been reported worldwide due to this defect. In U.S. alone, twelve automakers have recently issued recall of around 19.2 million vehicles equipped with faulty air bags inflators. However, according to a latest Reuters report, the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has predicted that the total could reach around 3.4 million vehicles.

Also Read: Mazda and Honda Drops Usage of Takata Airbags, Share Prices Declines

Ford Motor Compact itself recalled around 1,509,535 vehicles from the model year 2005 to 2014 due to faulty Takata airbags inflators. The list of recalled Ford vehicles include:

• Ford Mustang manufactured between the MY 2008 to 2014
• Ford GT manufactured between the MY 2005 to 2006
• U.S. manufactured Ford Ranger Pick-Up Trucks of the MY 2004 to 2006

 

In the beginning of this month, Takata signed a Consent Order with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which required the Japanese automotive parts company to phase out the production and sale of inflators, whose propellant contains ammonium nitrate in its composition.

 

Also Read:  Takata Airbag Scandal– 7 More Brands to Join Global Recall