The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into reports of fires in Ford Explorers from the 2021-2026 model years. About 1.2 million vehicles could be affected, including a number of Police Interceptor models.
The agency said the complaints center on the accidental deployment of seat-mounted side airbags that caused serious burn injuries. NHTSA said it has received eight complaints and four early warning reports alleging burn injuries linked to the deployments.
Side airbags are safety devices that deploy during certain crashes to protect occupants from serious injury.
The US auto regulator said drivers, front-seat passengers and some law enforcement officers in Ford Explorer Police Interceptor vehicles suffered second- and third-degree burns following side airbag deployments