2004-'06 Ford F-150 Subject of Inadvertent-Airbag-Deployment Probe

WASHINGTON — Federal investigators have widened their probe into complaints of inadvertent airbag deployment on 2004-'06 Ford F-150 pickup trucks. At least 66 reports of injuries have been turned in.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that as many as 1,563,098 F-150s may be involved. The NHTSA has opened an engineering analysis into the defect, a move that is sometimes a precursor to a recall.

"Ford reports that inadvertent airbag deployments are most likely caused by the airbag horn mounting plate's sharp metal edge that eventually can chafe/cut the airbag clock spring jumper wire leading to a short-to-ground condition," said NHTSA in its summary of the defect investigation. "225 of the 323 reports were for airbag deployments resulting in 66 injuries, with the remaining 98 reports for an airbag light illumination condition."

The injuries included abrasion, contusion and cuts to the arm/hand/face and upper body, said NHTSA. "One owner reported a broken tooth, and two owners reported a loss of consciousness," it noted. The federal government reports one crash/fire as a result of the problem and 103 regular warranty claims.

Ford made an interim design change to the horn mounting plate in January 2006 and then major changes to the horn mounting plate, airbag module and clock spring jumper wire designs in June 2006 for the 2007 F-150.

Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Ford F-150, be aware that the feds are looking into this problem. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent