Airbags not replaceable????

[BobD196]

OK, so get this! My 2010 Ranger, that I bought new, went in for the airbag recall at LHM Ford in Draper. I was informed that they cannot do the recall because it has 2007 steering column in it and none of the connectors match. They can't get they can't get the right parts because it is too old! They called Ford and they gave no answers. Now, it is unsafe to drive, by their own admission, but they cannot fix it. Not sure what to do. The dealer said I should fight it out with Ford customer service. The dealer took all kinds of pictures and sent them to Ford but, again, go no answers.

 

[Dirtman]

That sucks.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Id take it to a different dealer.

Sounds like they just dont wanna screw with it.

 

[adsm08]

I agree with Rusty, something sounds fishy.

 

[19Walt93]

I was a service manager from 1982-2017, that's B/S. I never told a customer we couldn't complete a recall unless parts weren't available yet- Ford followed the law and notified customers immediately, whether we could fix it yet or not. I'd go to another dealer and explain your situation, they should contact the Special Service Support Center ( recall hotline) and if they don't have a solution I'd ask for a written denial of the recall. It's possible that the way recalls are handled has changed in the last 2 years but I can't imagine them denying a recall without getting a field service engineer involved. Honda delayed recalling Takata air bags from 2001 when they found out about the defect until NHTSA forced them to do it in 2014, I still expect more from Ford.
If an airbag is unplugged the warning light will come on and the airbags won't fire, just saying....

 

[19Walt93]

In fairness though, I did occasionally have to get borderline rude with some SSSC people.

 

[Plum Ranger XLT]

I took mine in about six months ago for the airbag recall and got it fixed with no issues and I would agree about taking it to another dealer.

 

[adsm08]

If an airbag is unplugged the warning light will come on and the airbags won't fire, just saying....

I'm uncertain if that would work here. The concern was that high humidity could allow the airbag to go off on its own. If there is a capacitor in the system simply unplugging it wouldn't necessarily disable the airbag completely.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I'm uncertain if that would work here. The concern was that high humidity could allow the airbag to go off on its own. If there is a capacitor in the system simply unplugging it wouldn't necessarily disable the airbag completely.

Hammer to the crash sensor then shove it all back in the wheel and be done.

Pry not the best advice but...

 

[Bird76Mojo]

 

[adsm08]

Hammer to the crash sensor then shove it all back in the wheel and be done.

Pry not the best advice but...

Yeah, definitely don't give advice about airbag repairs. Especially since you don't seem to know where the impact sensor is.

Also, if I understand the reason for the recall correctly, and I may not, it is potentially possible for the airbag to go off on its own, even if it is removed from the vehicle. IIRC these things have a small capacitor in them that stores enough charge to ignite the device in the event the alternator and battery are both unable to provide power.

 

[Dirtman]

My understanding was, whatever metal is on, or around the igniter was improperly coated, painted or something so it is prone to corrosion and during an airbag deployment it can break apart and shoot you in the face with shrapnel. When I got my recall done they said the "issue" was more problematic in the hotter humid states which is why there was such a long wait time for parts in the northeast.

 

[adsm08]

My understanding was, whatever metal is on, or around the igniter was improperly coated, painted or something so it is prone to corrosion and during an airbag deployment it can break apart and shoot you in the face with shrapnel. When I got my recall done they said the "issue" was more problematic in the hotter humid states which is why there was such a long wait time for parts in the northeast.

Now bear in mind I have not dealt with this recall from either side. I was out before it was announced, and I don't own anything effected. I thought the issue was that the igniters were improperly sealed and that moisture intrusion into the igniter can cause a spontaneous, unwarranted, inflation.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Yeah, definitely don't give advice about airbag repairs. Especially since you don't seem to know where the impact sensor is.

Also, if I understand the reason for the recall correctly, and I may not, it is potentially possible for the airbag to go off on its own, even if it is removed from the vehicle. IIRC these things have a small capacitor in them that stores enough charge to ignite the device in the event the alternator and battery are both unable to provide power.

My comment was tounge in cheek. Just so ya know.

 

[adsm08]

My comment was tounge in cheek. Just so ya know.

I figured. I'm playing on certain other posts lately where people were advised against certain things.