2005-2011 Ford Vehicles Recall 16V384: Passenger Air Bag

Recall 16V384 covers 1,892,343 2005-2011 Ford vehicles with passenger air bag inflators that can rupture. Do not drive. Free repair once Ford opens it.

What's wrong?

The passenger frontal air bag inflator sits inside the passenger-side air bag module on 2005-2011 Ford vehicles in this recall. In a crash that calls for the front air bag, the inflator is supposed to fill the bag quickly and in a controlled way so the air bag can cushion the passenger.

The problem is inside certain Takata inflators that use non-desiccated ammonium nitrate propellant. Heat, humidity, and temperature cycling break down that propellant over long exposure. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, the inflator can rupture instead of opening normally, sending metal fragments into the cabin. Ford later updated the remedy for remaining unrepaired vehicles with a Do Not Drive advisory.

There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag looks normal from the cabin, and the defect shows up only when the passenger frontal air bag deploys in a crash.

Who's affected?

Spans cars, a pickup, and crossovers across 2005-2011, all tied to the front passenger air bag inflator module.

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 inflator rupture can send metal fragments into the cabin. Those fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Ask the dealer about towing if it must move. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once Ford opens it.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2005-2011 Ford recall vehicle is included.
2. Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger frontal air bag inflator repair is complete.
3. Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
4. Wait for Ford's remedy notice before scheduling the final dealer repair, since this recall is listed as interim.
5. Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions, and reference recall number 16V384 and Ford recall 19S01 when you call.
6. Keep the recall notice with your records if Ford has mailed one; the dealer repair is free once Ford opens the remedy.

What happens at the repair

Do not drive the vehicle until the repair has been performed. Because this recall is still listed with an interim remedy, Ford's current process is to notify owners first, then send a second notice when final remedy parts are available. Once the final repair opens, a Ford technician will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge. The dealer repair path is the inflator replacement, not an inspection-only visit, and the vehicle should stay parked until that work is complete.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCRN
• Download Quarterly Report (PDF) · RCLQRT
• Download Owner Notice (PDF) · RCMN
• Download Recall Report (PDF) · RCLRPT
• Download Misc. Document (PDF) · RMISC
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RIONL
• Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) · RCONL
• Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF) · RCAK

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 →