The defect
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Mustang | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang | 1994 | 356 | 4 |
| Ford Mustang | 1995 | 602 | 5 |
| Ford Mustang | 1996 | 246 | 3 |
| Ford Mustang | 1997 | 176 | 2 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 1995 | 165 | 6 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 1996 | 259 | 8 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 1997 | 314 | 6 |
Other air bags recalls in 2001
14 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the air bags; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 01V372000 11 Dec 2001 | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V373000 5 Dec 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V347000 6 Nov 2001 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V306000 25 Sept 2001 | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V237000 20 Jul 2001 | EUROPA INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| 01V222000 2 Jul 2001 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 01V168000 18 May 2001 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 01V153000 8 May 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001