Today's pickups are rolling computers, stitched together from hundreds of sensors. When even one fails, the entire safety system can go offline, which is how one new Ford F-150 owner found himself staring at an airbag warning light and a dealership telling him parts might not arrive until 2027. His wife's TikTok detailing the ordeal has grabbed plenty of attention on social media. The clip from creator Tina (@chicktokandco) is almost instantly relatable because of the no-win situation she and her husband find themselves in. Without reliable airbags in the truck, they will be unable to safely transport their young children in that vehicle for two years. "We have two little kids…so obviously, he can't drive this truck, you know. And I get it, when we were growing up, we didn't have airbags," she said in the clip that's been viewed more than 8,000 times. "The point is, this is a brand-new 2025 truck that we just bought from this local dealership." According to her posts, the couple purchased the F-150 in August. It had around 2,000 miles on the odometer because it had previously been part of the dealership's loaner fleet, but because it had never been titled, it was sold as new. Shortly afterward, her husband received multiple recall notices, which is not unusual, as new vehicles across the auto industry routinely face recalls when real-world data reveals early manufacturing or software defects. In 2023 alone, US automakers issued more than 1,000 recalls affecting over 32 million vehicles, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data. But an additional issue emerged: an alert on the truck's dash and the owner's smartphone indicating that the airbag system was disabled. When he called the dealership to schedule service, he was initially told to wait two weeks. Once the dealer took the truck in, technicians reportedly completed recall and warranty items. Still, they said the airbag sensor responsible for the failure could not be replaced because parts were on national backorder. The estimate of one to two years before the needed component becomes available is what propelled the story beyond a typical repair hassle. Loaner Shortages Make a Bad Situation Worse The dealership also told the couple it had no loaner vehicles available, even though the F-150 they'd purchased had previously served as one. Loaner shortages have become increasingly common nationwide. Many dealerships reduced their fleets during the pandemic as inventory dried up and used car prices spiked. Tina says her husband was told there weren't any vehicles left to offer. Only after he submitted a one-star rating on a Ford customer survey did the dealership contact him to "make it right," eventually placing him in a 2024 F-150 rental, she says. But even that didn't go smoothly. "He has it for less than a week," she says in part two of her story, "and the check engine light came on, it started overheating, smoking, no oil pressure." The replacement truck also had to be taken out of service, leaving the family once again without a drivable vehicle. As is common with TikTok automotive content, the comment section quickly devolved into a mix of brand loyalty, brand bashing, and genuine frustration with modern vehicles. Some framed the situation as a "Ford problem," while others pushed back, arguing that parts shortages and long wait times have affected nearly all automakers in recent years. Toyota, often cited by commenters as more reliable, has also faced significant recall campaigns recently, including a recall for steering defects announced in late 2024 Several commenters also noted that dealership performance varies widely, with some Ford stores offering quick turnaround and loaner vehicles, while others struggle with staffing, demand, and parts allocation. One wrote, "It's got zero to do with Ford. It's got everything to do with the dealership… Chevy and Stellantis both have electrical problems too." The debate underscored what many industry analysts have long noted: as vehicles have grown more complex, the consequences of even minor component shortages have become more disruptive. Why Airbag Repairs Can Face Long Delays Airbag systems rely on a network of interconnected sensors and modules, and when one fails, the entire system often disables itself as a safety precaution. Since regulators consider airbag readiness a critical safety function, manufacturers must source exact replacement parts rather than substitute components. The industry has struggled with shortages of airbag modules, wiring harnesses, sensors, and semiconductor-adjacent components since at least 2021. Multiple major suppliers, including Bosch and Denso, have publicly acknowledged tight supply conditions. Although the chip shortage has eased, ripple effects persist. When new recalls create sudden demand spikes, backlogs can grow quickly. Some commenters urged the couple to explore lemon law options, though eligibility varies by state. Most laws require either multiple unsuccessful repair attempts for the same defect or an extended period during which the vehicle is unusable. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act may also provide remedies in some instances. Even without lemon law intervention, owners can often escalate service delays through manufacturer support lines, request loaner or rental reimbursement, or ask the dealer to document parts backorder status for potential future claims. What makes Tina's clip resonate is not just the family's predicament but how familiar it feels to thousands of drivers dealing with delayed repairs, unavailable loaners, or confusing recall timelines. Modern pickups promise capability, safety, and comfort, but as their technology becomes more advanced, so do their vulnerabilities. Whether the couple's wait truly lasts two years or Ford accelerates the repair, the TikTok has become a snapshot of a broader industry problem: when safety systems fail on a new truck in 2025, the fix may not be fast or straightforward. Motor1 reached out to Ford via email, and to Tina via direct message and comment on the clip. We'll be sure to update this if they respond. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
