DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. on Thursday issued a safety recall for nearly 32,000 vehicles with faulty Takata airbag modules, a problem unrelated to the exploding Takata airbag inflators that prompted massive recalls across the industry.
The automaker said certain driver frontal airbag cushions installed in the vehicles may not inflate as intended. The issue stems from a misalignment of components within the airbag module, Ford said.
The issue affects 2016-17 Edge midsize crossover, 2016-17 Lincoln MKX SUVs and 2017 Lincoln Continental sedans.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.
Ford spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt said the automaker continues to use Takata airbags in new models, although all airbags contain fixes that prevent inflators from exploding. The vehicles in Thursday’s recall all contain that fix, she said.
At least 17 deaths have been linked to exploding Takata inflators that contain non-desiccated ammonium nitrate. The defects have led 10 automakers to recall more than 31 million cars worldwide since 2008. All but one of the deaths have occurred in Honda vehicles.
A spokesperson with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was not immediately available for comment.
Affected vehicles include:
- 2016-17 Ford Edge crossovers built at Oakville Assembly Plant Oct. 8, 2015 to Feb. 15, 2017.
- 2017-17 Lincoln MKX SUVs built at Oakville Nov. 11, 2014 to Feb. 15, 2017.
- 2017 Lincoln Continental sedans built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant Jan. 13, 2016 to Jan. 18, 2017.
Of the affected vehicles, 27,531 are in the U.S. and 4,336 are in Canada.
Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag module for free.
