Recent news reports have stated that Ford has recalled 144000 F-150 pickup trucks due to the possible deployment of a driver side air bag without the vehicle being in an accident. The affected F-150s are from the 2005-2006 model years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 238 reports of inadvertent deployment in which 77 people experience mild injury such as bruises or cuts. Two instances of loss of consciousness were also reported. Air bag deployment can occur due to an exposed copper wire that could short circuit the air-bag warning lamp which if left unchecked could cause the drivers side air bag to deploy under unique circumstances. The issue was addressed in post-2006 models. The number of pickups recalled by Ford is far less than the 1.3 million 2004-2006 model F-150s that the NHTSA requested Ford to recall in early 2011.
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While its fortunate that this inadvertent air-bag deployment has reportedly not caused serious injury it would seem simply a matter of time until a random air-bag deployment results in a severe wreck. Consequently those with affected F-150s should be sure to take their pickup to a dealer in order to have the issue addressed before an accident may occur. It should also be noted that when a defective part causes or contributes to an accident a part manufacturer can bear liability for the results of such an accident.
– Texas Product Liability Attorney Michael Grossman
