The problem
On certain passenger vehicles, the integrated air bag monitor (iabm) can be contaminated with water or other liquids and could experience internal electrical shorting.
The risk
This May, in turn, cause the air bag readiness light to illuminate and in very rare occurrences, air bag deployment, melted wiring, or fire May occur.
The fix
Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began February 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 02V-323 (02V323000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 02S44 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive |
| Report date | December 9, 2002 |
| Owners notified | February 11, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 396,217 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 02V-323 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will install the shield over the iabm and apply nyogel grease to the connector. Owner notification began February 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 396,217 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.