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Ford Motor Company is recalling select 2023 Ford F-Series pickups due to an issue with the vehicles’ steering wheel airbags.
The defect: in affected pickups, the steering wheel clock spring assembly may have been improperly welded between the bus bar and the ribbon cable. This may result in loss of electrical connections to the driver’s frontal airbag, and may also cause the airbag warning lamp to illuminate on the dash. The switches on the steering wheel may also be affected, and may not illuminate or function properly if this fault exists.
The hazards: if the clock spring is insufficiently welded, the steering wheel airbag could become deactivated, meaning it will not deploy in the event of a crash. This can increase the risk of injury.
Ford is not aware of any reports of accident or injury related to this issue.
Components: steering wheel clock spring assembly.
Affected vehicles: select 2023 Ford F-150 units built at the Dearborn truck plant between March 13st and June 15th, 2023 or the Kansas City Assembly plant between January 3rd and June 8th; Ford F-150 Lightning units assembled at the Ford Rouge Electric Vehicle Center between March 31st and May 2nd; and Ford Super Duty models built at the Kentucky Truck Plant between January 6th and August 2th or at the Ohio Assembly Plant between March 27th and June 21st.
Number of affected vehicles: 17,696
The fix: dealers will inspect and replace the clock spring as necessary, free of charge to vehicle owners.