What’s Ford‘s response to their recall regarding Takata airbags? It’s no big deal. Don’t worry about it, especially if you aren’t in a humid environment. What? Are the kidding? Has Ford been to Alabama in August? Has anyone been outside today?
Here is the Ford representative’s actual response:
Good morning Jon,The latest testing and analyses continue to show that the Takata airbag inflators only pose a risk of rupture after several years of exposure to high absolute humidity levels.Based on the data available to Ford, your client¿s vehicle continues to be safe to drive and there is no indication that your client¿s 2010 model year Fusion poses a significant risk of an airbag inflator rupture at this point.
I see that our manager, Kristen Zendler, sent you this notice, dated July 29, 2016, in response to your inquiry.
Lewis, Feldman & Lehane, LLC
Attention: Jon E. Lewis, Esq.
2112 11th Ave., Suite 542
Birmingham, AL 35205
205-254-3939 (fax)
Re: Your client, Jon E. Lewis
Dear Mr. Lewis:
This is a follow up to your letter to Ford Motor Company about the Takata airbag safety recall on your client¿s 2010 model year Fusion and your demand that Ford refund the vehicle. We have thoroughly reviewed your client¿s buyback demand and after conducting an investigation have concluded that in Ford¿s good faith judgment, the subject vehicle does not qualify for any form of compensation under the applicable state and federal consumer warranty laws.
The unprecedented volume and scope of the industry-wide Takata airbag inflator recalls have created unique replacement part challenges for all vehicle manufacturers and global part suppliers.
Ford is working with NHTSA to prioritize the replacement of airbag inflators to ensure they are replaced as quickly as possible, addressing the highest risks first. Both NTHSA and Takata have indicated that the highest risk vehicles include older vehicles in areas with the most exposure to a combination of both high humidity and high temperatures, such as the southern gulf coast of the United States.
Ford is also working with its global suppliers to develop and manufacture safe replacement airbag inflators for the Ford vehicles included in this recall. When your client receives a letter stating that service parts are available, your client should contact any Ford or Lincoln dealer immediately to schedule a service appointment.
For the latest Takata recall information, all owners can continue to check on the status of replacement parts for their vehicles by clicking on ¿Safety Recalls¿ at the bottom of www.Ford.com and entering the VIN into Ford¿s recall VIN look-up tool, or they can visit NHTSA¿s Takata recall information site at www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/index.html.
Sincerely,
Kristen Zendler
Regards,
Beth Case
Ford Motor Company
Office of the General Counsel
Phone: 313.845.5173
Fax: 866.212.5425
Bcase1@Ford.com
