Ford is recalling 262,000 (154,600 models in the U.S. and the rest in Canada, Mexico and South America) 2011-2013 Fiesta subcompacts to upgrade their passenger side curtain airbag systems.  The vehicles have been found to have a deployment problem in certain crashes if the right rear seat is unoccupied.  This increases the risk of injury to rear seat passengers.
NHTSA’s Notice:
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): FORD / FIESTA 2011-2013
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Report Receipt Date: OCT 05, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V488000
Component:  AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected:  154,604
Summary: Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Fiesta vehicles, manufactured from November 3, 2009 through September 21, 2012. The vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.” The passenger side curtain air bag will not deploy in the event of a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty. Although the side curtain air bag system was designed to suppress the side curtain air bag under this scenario, that information is not explained in the owner’s guide for these vehicles as required by FMVSS No.208.
Consequence: An occupant in the right rear seating position will not have coverage from the side curtain air bag in a side impact collision when the front passenger seat is empty, increasing the risk of injury to the right rear occupant.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will reprogram the vehicle’s software free of charge so that it no longer suppresses the passenger side curtain air bag when the front passenger seat is empty, and consistent with the description in the owner’s guide. The safety recall is expected to begin shortly. Owner’s may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Notes: Ford’s recall campaign number is 12C26. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).