Ford Motor Co. is imposing a training requirement on its dealership technicians, aimed at enhancing the quality of field service actions (FSA), including crucial air bag repairs, to rectify systemic issues that have surfaced, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Ford's decision came after it determined only 46% of its repair technicians have completed the necessary training to carry out FSAs effectively. These actions, encompassing recalls and customer satisfaction programs, are vital for maintaining vehicle integrity and safety.
In a letter dated Jan. 29, Ford told dealerships they have until April 1 to get the other 54% of technicians up to speed on the training, which includes a new course on supplemental restraints, covering air bags and seat belt pretensioners.
A recent investigation by the Detroit Free Press uncovered lapses in air bag repair procedures. Ford is currently reevaluating the work on 41,600 vehicles whose air bags were replaced by technicians, dubbed "rogue" by a Ford spokesperson, who failed to complete repairs adequately despite claiming to have done so. Another 232,000 Rangers have been recalled in which replacement air bags may not have been installed correctly because technicians failed to follow instructions.
This training mandate also addresses concerns raised by a whistleblower, who spoke up about an issue with repair fraud and a dilution of standards within Ford's repair processes.
