NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA03010
Engineering Analysis · Ford Motor Company · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH
THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 427 REPORTS ALLEGING NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.OF THE 427 REPORTS, TWO INCIDENTS (FATAL CRASHES) HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES IN WHICH THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- EA03010
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Component
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Opened
- Jul 2, 2003
- Closed
- Jun 23, 2004
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
4 model years across 2 models
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.