Airbags not replaceable????

[19Walt93]

The part they're replacing is called an "inflator", before the recall it was the igniter, which is a more accurate name considering it initiates the explosion that inflates the bag. Takata used ammonium nitrate because it was cheap but unfortunately it degrades over time, made worse by heat and humidity, and gets more volatile. The air bag won't go off by itself but if it does pop the explosion is more powerful than it's supposed to be and the airbag throws metal shrapnel at the occupant. The first known fatality was in 2001, a Honda was found in a ditch with minimal damage, deployed bags, and a dead driver with a slash in her neck. The cops assumed someone killed her and staged an accident to cover it up until the autopsy found air bag pieces in her neck. Ford would have initiated a recall then, because law requires it and because your customers won't buy anymore cars if you kill them, Honda waited until NHTSA forced the issue in 2014. If it were my truck and I couldn't get the recall done I'd look into installing a correct year column so it could be done. The Ford customer assistance number is 800-392-3673 but calling them will likely just open a complaint against the dealer which may not endear you to them but it will get it documented.