Its Shop Time Mondays: Ford And Mitsubishi Are In The Hot Seat

1. Air Bags May Not Deploy in a Crash

Air bags that do not deploy as designed in a crash increase the risk of injury
.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V686000

Manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 83,555

Summary

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mirage vehicles. The internal acceleration sensor in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) can misinterpret vibrations such as those from poor road conditions or a flat tire to be a sensor error thereby disabling the air bags from deploying in a crash.

Remedy

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SRS-ECU software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in November 2017. Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-006.

2. Water may Enter the Trailer Tow Module

An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V668000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 65,206

Summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Transit vehicles, equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk and an interim repair are expected to be mailed in November 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S34.