Ford Launches Multi-Year Inspection Program After Discovery of Improper Takata Airbag Repairs
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Ford discovered some dealerships falsely billed for air bag repairs or did shoddy work, leaving many vehicles with flawed Takata air bags still installed. This poses an explosive danger over time.
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A whistleblower alleges Ford eased air bag replacement rules in 2018-2019 to allow lower-skilled technicians to do the work faster. Ford denies changing standards.
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By 2020, Ford's own audit found enough problems with recall repairs that it launched an ongoing 5-year reinspection program of over 270,000 vehicles.
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So far in the reinspections, Ford found a 1.5% error rate in air bag replacements. If that holds up, about 4,000 vehicles may have unfixed flaws.
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The problem recalls illustrate the massive auto safety recall system's vulnerabilities, including a lack of oversight on dealers doing the repairs. Consumers can't fully trust the repairs are done right.