Ford Cmax, Focus, Kuga Recall R/2017/241: Side And/or Knee Airbag May Fail To Deploy In A Collision, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 4 Sep 2017
- Launched
- 1,943
- vehicles in the UK
- 17S06
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Ford recalled Cmax, Focus, Kuga vehicles built between 18 July 2016 and 27 December 2016. The airbag initiator may be defective and may prevent the side airbag(s) and/or knee airbag deploying in the event of an accident. The recall notice describes the fix as: recall the 1943 vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary replace the side and knee protection airbags complete with initiators. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The airbag initiator may be defective and may prevent the side airbag(s) and/or knee airbag deploying in the event of an accident. In a collision the airbags not deploying could put the occupants at further risk.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: SIDE AND/OR KNEE AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A COLLISION Defect: The airbag initiator may be defective and may prevent the side airbag(s) and/or knee airbag deploying in the event of an accident. In a collision the airbags not deploying could put the occupants at further risk. Remedy: Recall the 1943 vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary replace the side and knee protection airbags complete with initiators.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: side and/or knee airbag may fail to deploy in a collision.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: recall the 1943 vehicles that are likely to be affected to check and where necessary replace the side and knee protection airbags complete with initiators.
Are You Affected?
Cmax, Focus, Kuga built between 18 July 2016 and 27 December 2016 may be included. Ford estimates 1,943 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Ford, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Ford.
- Book with any franchised Ford dealer, quoting the campaign code 17S06 or the DVSA reference R/2017/241. See how to get a Ford recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuga, Mach-ETraffic sign recognition (TSR) unexpected activation / deactivation | Low | R/2026/366 | |
| KugaEDS wiring touch | Urgent | R/2026/355 | |
| Kuga, RangerPotential exhaust gas recirculation valve failure | Urgent | R/2026/160 | |
| Kuga, Mach-E, Transit, Transit Courier and 1 moreUnintended high beam behaviour: compliance | Book soon | R/2026/268 | |
| Focus, Kuga, Tourneo Connect, Transit Connect and 1 moreDiesel DV-Neo engine coolant pump update | Urgent | R/2026/237 |
This is one of 378 Ford recalls in DVSA’s data. The Ford recall launched before it was R/2017/238 on 30 Aug 2017, for b-pillar trim insulation too close to the seat belt pretentioner. The one launched after it was R/2017/273 on 29 Sep 2017, for rear driveshaft may become damaged resulting in loss of drive. You can also see every Ford recall, the Ford Kuga recall history, all recalls launched in 2017 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2017/241, launched 4 September 2017. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.