Over 1.2 million Ford SUVs have been subject to a federal probe. As reported by the New York Post, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted that airbags may have caused serious burn injuries.
The administration explained that the issues affect 2021-2026 model Ford Explorer vehicles. The specific airbags that are alleged to have been affected are the "seat-mounted side airbags".
Per the IIHS, side airbags "are designed to inflate in side crashes to prevent people's heads and chests from contacting intruding parts of vehicle side structure, a striking vehicle or an object such as a tree or pole."
They also note that "side airbags must deploy very quickly... deployment thresholds can be as low as 8pm for narrow object crashes, and 18mph for the more widely distributed side impacts."
The NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation after receiving 8 complaints as well as 4 early warning reports.
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The Ford SUVs Have Allegedly Caused Injuries
The NHTSA reported that they received "8 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and 4 Early
Warning Reporting "Death and Injury" reports alleging burn injuries".
Their report continues, "Consumers have described that during a crash involving deployment of the seat-mounted side airbag, they sustained burn injuries. Burn injuries have been reported for both drivers and front passengers... And were typically diagnosed as second or third-degree burns requiring medical treatment."
They also note that law enforcement officers were some of those reportedly injured.
Third degree burns are the second most serious type of burn. According to the Cleveland Clinic, "a third-degree burn destroys your first three layers of skin and fatty tissue." They explain that "this type of burn is serious and requires treatment."
This comes amid side airbags reportedly being very helpful in protecting against injuries in a crash. Per research (McCartt & Kyrychenko), "side airbags reduce a car driver's risk of death".
It's important to note that this is only a preliminary investigation, and nothing has been confirmed as of yet. Whether these claims will be substantiated will only come to light after research and probing by the NHTSA. We hope that anyone injured has recovered safely.
