Ford recalls about 391K Ranger pickups due to air bag death

Thomson ReutersVisitors walk behind a logo of Takata Corp on its display at a showroom for vehicles in Tokyo(Reuters) – Ford Motor Co said it is expanding its safety recall on vehicles that have Takata Corp’s airbag inflators after Takata declared that those inflators were defective.

Ford is the first automaker to announce a recall after the NHTSA said on Friday it would expand recalls by about 5 million vehicles and inflators.

The latest death to be linked to the company’s components occurred in December when the driver of a 2006 Ford Ranger pickup truck died after the vehicle swerved off a road in SC. Further recalls will add to the ¥600 billion to ¥700 billion that automakers have footed so far in recall costs, part of which Takata will have to repay once the responsibility is determined, according to the person.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the driver’s family”, Takata said in a statement on the latest death. Japan’s transport ministry is looking at the latest recalls of Takata’s air bags, Masato Sahashi, an official at the ministry, said Monday.

Takata inflators – metal cartridges loaded with propellant wafers – in mostly older models that are exposed to moisture over time can explode with too much force, sending shrapnel into the vehicle, according to the NHTSA. Masahiko Hirokawa, a Daicel spokesman reportedly said.

Takata has struggled for years since its inflators were discovered to be defective. Then they can enter their vehicle identification number to check.