Time to add another car to the ever growing list of recalls. This time it is the Ford Fiesta, model years 2011-2013. The cars were manufactured between November 3, 2009 and September 21, 2012. This recall affects an estimated 154,604 of the Blue Oval subcompact.
The issue in question regards improper deployment of the side curtain airbags. Apparently the airbags will not deploy if there is not a passenger in the front seat. This can cause major injuries if there are passengers in the rear of the vehicle but there is no front occupant. According to the recall notice, the airbag system was designed to operate in this capacity, presumable the same way the passenger front airbag will not deploy, but this information was not revealed to consumers in the owner’s manual.
Ford will be notifying owners to head to their local dealer. A quick software fix will take care of the issue.
Concerned owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
