Ford Broncos Recalled Over Faulty Airbag Sensors

Ford Motor Co. is calling back a small group of Bronco 4x4s over malfunctioning airbags, the automaker recently announced. 

Some new Bronco sport utility vehicles may have malfunctioning side-impact sensors, Ford recently told federal regulators. That is a potential recipe for disaster in the event of a collision, the company acknowledged.

“Affected vehicles may have a right-hand and/or left-hand side impact sensor that is not properly secured to the vehicle," Ford told NHTSA in a defect notice. "An unsecured side impact sensor may not properly detect certain side impact events. Incorrect side impact sensor readings could cause the affected airbags to unintentionally deploy or to not deploy when intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.”

The recall covers just over 1,200 Broncos from model years 2021-2022, autoblog’s Byron Hurd reports. The vehicles were produced between February and September 2021.

Ford told NHTSA it plans to notify owners of recalled cars by the end of January. The company will ask owners to take their vehicles to a local dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.

Ford Tops Annual Recall List

The Bronco news came as Ford topped the list for the most recalls by an auto manufacturer in 2022. 

The company issued 67 separate recalls last year, covering more than 8.6 million vehicles. Those figures dwarfed the automaker’s closest competitors.

While there is plenty of reason for Ford owners and lessors to be concerned, the truth is that recalls are all too common among major auto manufacturers around the globe. These recalls are frequently announced long after cars have left manufacturing facilities and dealerships and sold to unsuspecting buyers.

Know Your California Lemon Law Rights

Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California have some important rights and protections when it comes to defective and malfunctioning vehicles. Many do not need to wait around for a recall to get their cars fixed.

The California lemon law generally requires car manufacturers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. Known formally as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the law also forces companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) cars that they cannot or will not fix. That includes covering the vehicle’s purchase price and financing costs, as well as rental car and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback requirement kicks in. That is one of several reasons why it is important to consult a seasoned attorney who has experience assisting people in lemon law cases.

Speak with a Lemon Law Attorney

If you are locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over a malfunctioning or defective vehicle, a Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. 

We have successfully assisted car owners across the state. Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer at our firm today.