The problem
Vehicle description: 4-door sport utility vehicles equipped with side air bags. The subject vehicles have a revised level side crash sensor that could deploy the side air bag if the ignition key is in the "run" position and the seatbelt webbing is forcibly extracted from a locked retractor with a jerking motion.
The risk
Inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.
The fix
Dealers will replace the side crash sensors with a revised design that will reduce the likelihood of an unexpected side air bag deployment.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 00V-179 (00V179000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 00S17 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Air bags › Side/window |
| Report date | July 5, 2000 |
| Owners notified | July 10, 2000 |
| Vehicles affected | 2,300 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 00V-179 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the side crash sensors with a revised design that will reduce the likelihood of an unexpected side air bag deployment.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 2,300 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.