Recall 16V247 covers 695 2008-2012 Taurus X, Flex, Mks, Taurus, and Sable vehicles for improper driver air bag inflation. Free repair at Ford dealers.
Ford is recalling 695 2008-2012 Taurus X, Flex, Mks, Taurus, and Sable vehicles because the driver frontal air bag can inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in a high-speed crash. An improperly inflated air bag increases injury risk in a crash, and Ford dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag in the affected 2008-2012 Ford Taurus X, Flex, Mks, Taurus, and Sable vehicles is built to inflate from the steering wheel during a crash. In a high speed crash, the inflator uses a higher-output stage to fill the bag with the force needed for occupant crash protection under NHTSA campaign 16V247.
The defect is inside the driver air bag inflator. A supplier issue left the secondary chemical enhancer out of some suspect inflators after it was misloaded and fell out during assembly. Without that enhancer, the air bag can inflate improperly during the higher-output stage instead of performing as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is hidden inside the air bag module, so the vehicle can look and drive normally until the air bag is needed in a crash.
Who's affected?
Spans five nameplates across the 2008-2012 model years, all tied to the front air bag component.
| 2009 Ford Taurus X | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2009 Ford Flex | front air bag |
| 2009 Lincoln Mks | front air bag |
| 2008 Ford Taurus | front air bag |
| 2008 Mercury Sable | front air bag |
| 2008 Ford Taurus X | front air bag |
| 2010 Ford Taurus | front air bag |
| 2010 Ford Flex | front air bag |
| 2011 Ford Taurus | front air bag |
| 2011 Lincoln Mks | front air bag |
| 2011 Ford Flex | front air bag |
| 2012 Ford Taurus | front air bag |
| 2012 Ford Flex | front air bag |
| Units affected | 695 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An improperly inflated driver's frontal air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash because it does not cushion the driver as designed. Schedule the inspection soon and keep using seat belts on every trip. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2012 Ford Taurus X, Flex, Mks, Taurus, or Sable is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free driver frontal air bag module inspection.
- Schedule the air bag module replacement if the dealer finds it is needed; the repair addresses improper driver air bag inflation during a high-speed crash.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, and reference recall number 16V247 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and keep extra space from traffic ahead.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the driver's frontal air bag module and replaces the module when the inspection shows it is covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. Out-of-pocket repairs tied to this concern were handled through Ford's original warranty program, not through a separate recall reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how that warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 26, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 26, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| April 26, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 9, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 13, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 13, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V247?
Recall 16V247 covers 695 2008-2012 Ford Taurus X, Flex, Mks, Taurus, and Sable vehicles with a driver frontal air bag module issue. The air bag can inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in a high speed crash, increasing injury risk.
What should I do if my 2008-2012 Ford Taurus X, Flex, Mks, Taurus, or Sable is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V247. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the driver frontal air bag module inspection and replacement. Reference Ford recall number 16C06 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost. Ford dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag module and replace it if needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is higher injury risk in a crash. The driver frontal air bag can inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in a high speed crash, which reduces the protection the air bag is designed to provide.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Ownership history does not cancel an open safety recall. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference Ford recall number 16C06.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V247000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V247 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V247000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →