A couple months ago, my SRS light came on. Did the research on here and found that it's an issue with the front impact sensor. Decided I didn't want to deal with it right now.

A couple weeks ago, I get a questionnaire card from the NHTSA/DOT asking specifics about my truck and if the SRS light was on.

I then get an email yesterday asking me what the blinking sequence is of the SRS light. Here's the email:

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Thank you for answering our USDOT Questionnaire regarding your driver air bag.

PLEASE NOTE IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAG WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK IN AN ACCIDENT.

YOU SHOULD HAVE IT CHECKED BY A DEALER.

Could you see if you driver air bag light blinks when you first turn the key on.

If it does, could you please tell me the count of the number of blinks. It will blink with a two digit code.

For instance 4 BLINKS – pause 2 BLINKS

Repeats 3 more times

THEN STAYS ON

This code 4-2, might indicate a problem with the front impact sensor.

Please let me know what you find.
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So, I replied back to the guy right away and told him that is exactly what my truck is doing and asked why this info is needed and is there going to be a recall. Here's his response:

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Of the Ford F150 Trucks that I have inspected in the field, Lamp Fault Code (LFC) of 4-2 is quite common. It indicates a “Restraint System – Impact Sensor Fault.” This could be a problem with the sensor, wiring, etc.

Our investigation is on 2004-2006 Ford F150 Trucks and centers around the remote possibility of a driver air bag inadvertent deployment.

You can find information on the investigation at:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...fectsearch.cfm

Then enter <EA10001> in the NHTSA Action Number Box.

The information reads in part:

“FORD REPORTS THAT INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE AIRBAG HORN MOUNTING PLATE'S SHARP METAL EDGE THAT EVENTUALLY CAN CHAFE/CUT THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING JUMPER WIRE LEADING TO A SHORT-TO-GROUND CONDITION.”

Other documents can be looked up as well.
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So, has anyone else received this letter or heard of this issue? Thoughts?

 

And here's the full report:

NHTSA Action Number : EA10001 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
FORD / F-150 2004-2006
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Component :
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS: FRONTAL
AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Date Investigation Opened : January 13, 2010
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
FORD REPORTS THAT INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE AIRBAG HORN MOUNTING PLATE'S SHARP METAL EDGE THAT EVENTUALLY CAN CHAFE/CUT THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING JUMPER WIRE LEADING TO A SHORT-TO-GROUND CONDITION. TWO HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (225) OF THE 323 REPORTS WERE FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS RESULTING IN 66 INJURIES WITH THE REMAINING 98 REPORTS FOR AN AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION CONDITION. INJURIES INCLUDE ABRASION, CONTUSION AND CUTS TO THE ARM/HAND/FACE AND/OR UPPER BODY REGIONS. ONE OWNER REPORTED A BROKEN TOOTH AND TWO OWNERS REPORTED A LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FORD MADE AN INTERIM DESIGN CHANGE TO THE HORN MOUNTING PLATE IN JANUARY 2006 AND THEN MAJOR CHANGES TO THE HORN MOUNTING PLATE, AIRBAG MODULE AND CLOCK SPRING JUMPER WIRE DESIGNS IN JUNE 2006 FOR THE MY2007 VEHICLES. THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS OPENED TO ASCERTAIN THE IMPACT OF THIS DEFECT CONDITION.

 

I have the same light code on my 2005 stx 4x4 style side extended cab and don't really want the airbag going off in my face for no reason. Do you know if this is a recall and would be fixed for free? Is there a way to disable the airbag so i can repair it myself if not? I don't know if just disconnecting the battery is enough. I am asking becaus eI do not have the money to pay the dealer their insane rate to fix such an issue. They wanted $100 just to tell me what the code meant, I can't imagine what they want to actually fix it as well. Thanks for your help and great post!