This Friday, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it had refused to grant Ford additional time to recall 3 million Ford vehicles that are thought to have faulty airbag inflators.
The errant airbag systems in question are from Takata Corp., the Japanese firm that filed for bankruptcy protection in June after 18 deaths and 180 injuries were recorded around the world because of its faulty product over a period of several years. It has led to nearly 20 automakers recalling various numbers of vehicles for the problem to be rectified.
The fault is that the airbags inflate with excessive force, often causing metal and shrapnel to shoot out within the vehicle.
Saying that it did not find the U.S. automaker’s request “reasonable under the circumstances”, the NHTSA stated that it would not approve the petition. Customers can still comment on Ford’s petition until December 18, after which the final ruling will be announced.
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