Some Central Texans who received an initial recall notice from their car manufacturer to replace airbag inflators last July are still waiting for the problem to be solved.
They may have to wait until September 30, which is the deadline for vehicle manufacturer to have enough parts on hand to replace them on their specific model, year and location.
Robinson resident Sharon Rosiles and Woodway resident Aquanetta Brobston and their families have concerns about using their Ford Mustang vehicles after they received the recall notice.
The letter explained in certain vehicles, the front driver side air bag inflator housing may rupture and deploy abnormally during a crash. The inflator rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the driver or passengers, which could result in serious injury or death.
Rosiles and Brobston have safety concerns, especially after the recent death of a Texas teen involving ruptured Takata air bag inflators. According to CNN, her death is the 10th in the U.S. caused by the issue.
Brobston who has a 2014 Mustang said her family does not plan using the vehicle often until Ford tells her she can get the inflator replaced.
"You hear on the news. Someone recently who had a problem and was killed. I'm just concerned about the safety. I don't want to drive this car or have my grandkids in the car,” said Brobston.
Ford Motor Company Safety and Sustainability Communications Manager John Cangany said in a statement, they’re working with a number of suppliers to expedite parts and ensure customers in all regions to have access to them. He added the company does have parts available and additional ones will be available later this year.
According to Cangany, the company is following the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration remedy order, which makes vehicles at higher risk the first priority. Vehicles with older inflators that have spent continuous periods of times in areas of high absolute humidity, such as the Gulf Coast region, are at high risk of rupture.
The vehicles of Brobston and Rosiles are listed in the second priority groups because they are models from 2009 to 2014 in a state with high absolute humidity.
"That's a sad thing when you're categorized. Everyone should have the same amount of safety as everyone else because here in Texas we have humidity too,” said Rosiles.
Rosiles who bought the 2009 Mustang for her son said she cannot wait until September so instead she plans to trade or sell the vehicle.
Rosiles said her biggest fear is her son getting hurt or killed because of the recalled inflator. He is currently only driving the car when he can’t ride his motorcycle due to bad weather.
“I don't want to lose my son so in a way I feel kind of better with him in the motorcycle because he has the helmet, he has the jacket that has all the padding and he wears the gloves,” said Rosiles "I think he's going to be better protected on the motorcycle if something happens to him."
Cangany said NTHSA Administrator Mark Roseking said at a previous press conference, he encouraged customers to bring their vehicles in for service as soon as they were notified that parts were available, but said they should continue to drive the vehicles until then.
Remedy programs for the first three priority groups must be completed by Dec. of 2017 and Dec. of 2019 for the last priority group.
To download the priority list for vehicles, click here.
To see the deadlines associated with the NHTSA remedy program, click here.
To see the Frequently Asked Questions about the Takata Recall, click here.
