RepairPal Expert Overview
Summary:
Ford has recalled certain 2000 Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer vehicles equipped with side air bags for a possible problem with the side crash sensors. If the seat belt webbing is forcibly extracted from a locked retractor with a jerking motion, the side crash sensors could command deployment of the side air bags with the key in the run position. Dealers will replace the side crash sensors with a revised sensor.
Model Year(s): 2000
Mfr's Report Date:
July 10, 2000
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 00V179000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Potential Number of Units Affected: 2300
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A REVISED LEVEL SIDE CRASH SENSOR THAT COULD DEPLOY THE SIDE AIR BAG IF THE IGNITION KEY IS IN THE "RUN" POSITION AND THE SEATBELT WEBBING IS FORCIBLY EXTRACTED FROM A LOCKED RETRACTOR WITH A JERKING MOTION.
Consequence: INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN UNEXPECTED SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 10, 2000.OWNERS WHO 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 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Recall data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration