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Campaign 21V081 Posted February 16, 2021 1,067 units

2004-2014 Ford Multi-Model Recall 21V081: Air Bag Inflator

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 24, 2026

Recall 21V081 affects 1,067 2004-2014 Ford vehicles for service-part frontal air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at Ford dealers.

Ford is recalling 1,067 2004-2014 Ranger, Mustang, Fusion, Edge, GT, Lincoln Mkx and Mkz, and Mercury Milan vehicles under recall 21V081 because a replacement driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode after propellant degradation. In a crash that deploys the air bag, metal fragments can strike occupants; Ford dealers will complete the repair free of charge.

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What's wrong?

The recalled part is a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator in certain 2004-2014 Ford vehicles. The inflator is the metal canister inside the air bag module that creates gas when a crash sensor commands the air bag to deploy. Its job is to fill the air bag quickly and in a controlled way.

In this recall, some vehicles received obsolete Takata replacement service parts after earlier air bag work, collision repair, or theft repair. Those parts used non-desiccated phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant, while the correct remedy parts use guanidine nitrate. After long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature cycling, the older propellant degrades. During a deployment, that degraded propellant can make the inflator explode instead of inflating the air bag as designed.

There is no warning sign before failure. Ford reported no accident or injury reports tied to this condition, but the defect is hidden until the air bag is commanded to deploy.

Who's affected?

Covers Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles across the 2004-2014 model years, with front air bag scope split by driver-side, passenger-side, and general frontal-air-bag component listings.

2008 Ford Ranger front air bag
2008 Lincoln Mkx front air bag
2009 Ford Fusion front air bag
2009 Ford Fusion front air bag
2009 Ford Fusion front air bag
Units affected1,067
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

If a crash deploys the frontal air bag, the inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before deployment, so confirm your VIN and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2014 Ford Ranger, Mkx, Fusion, Mustang, Mkz, Milan, Edge, or GT is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free frontal air bag module inspection and any needed module or inflator replacement.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V081 and Ford recall 21S05 when you call.
  4. Ask the dealer to confirm whether the driver air bag, passenger air bag, or both need service before the appointment.
  5. Avoid delaying the repair once your VIN is confirmed, because the affected frontal air bag inflator has an explosion risk during deployment.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the driver and passenger frontal air bag modules. If the module or inflator is affected, the technician replaces the needed part at no charge. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Ford's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for a related repair. Keep any repair paperwork and ask Ford customer service or the dealer how to submit it.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

February 16, 2021 NHTSA published the recall
February 17, 2021 Dealer notification began
February 17, 2021 Dealer notification ended
March 8, 2021 VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
March 8, 2021 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
March 17, 2021 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V081?

Recall 21V081 covers 1,067 2004-2014 Ford Ranger, Mkx, Fusion, Mustang, Mkz, Milan, Edge, and GT vehicles with replacement frontal air bag inflators that can explode after long exposure to humidity and temperature cycling. Ford dealers inspect the modules and replace the module or inflator for free.

What should I do if my 2004-2014 Ford Ranger, Mkx, Fusion, Mustang, Mkz, Milan, Edge, or GT is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V081. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and schedule the air bag module inspection. Reference recall number 21V081 or Ford recall number 21S05 when you call. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Ford dealer will inspect the driver and passenger air bag modules, then replace the affected module or inflator if needed, free of charge.

What is the safety risk in recall 21V081?

The risk is sharp metal fragments entering the cabin during a frontal air bag deployment. If the inflator explodes in a crash, those fragments can strike the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death. The dealer repair removes that risk for included vehicles.

What if I bought this Ford vehicle used?

The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer with recall number 21V081 or Ford recall number 21S05.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V081000
Ford customer service1-866-436-7332
NHTSA recall #21V081
NHTSA recall # (full)21V081000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →