Ford Puma recalled and roll-out halted over airbag fault

Ford has halted deliveries of its Puma SUV and recalled vehicles already on the roads after uncovering an airbag fault.

The Fiesta-based compact SUV only went on sale at the end of 2019, with the first customer deliveries made in January. However, Ford has confirmed that customer deliveries have been put on hold and it stopped sales at its dealerships while the issue is addressed.

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Around a third of the affected cars are believed to have already reached customers, who are now being contacted by the car maker to have to problem addressed.

According to Ford, the issue relates to an airbag retention spring in the steering wheel and means that under certain circumstances the airbag may not stay in place after deployment. It insists that the airbag will still activate and protect the driver in case of an accident.

Affected models

The recall affects cars built between November 2019 and January 2020. Ford is already carrying out remedial work on cars with its dealers, with a recall issued to customers who have already taken delivery of their car.

In a statement, Ford UK said: "A number of Puma vehicles have been built with driver’s airbag retention springs that may be outside of Ford Motor Company manufacturing specification.

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"Under certain conditions, it is possible that the airbag is not retained in the steering wheel after it has been deployed.The performance of the airbag in case of an accident with airbag deployment will still meet regulatory requirements and provides sufficient protection for the driver.

"Ford has issued a sales hold of all affected vehicles in dealer stock and will immediately exchange the airbag retention spring. A safety recall of all affected vehicles with customers will follow immediately."

Ford has not yet said when the car’s roll-out will restart.

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