Ford announced this week it’s voluntarily recalling 144,000 F-150s from the 2005 and 2006 model years stemming from a relatively low risk of inadvertent airbag deployments.

The automaker explained in a message to Auto Remarketing that the recall includes 135,000 units in the U.S. and 9,000 in Canada.

Ford said the inadvertent airbag deployments are preceded by many illuminations of the airbag warning lamp, indicating that restraint system service is required.‬

During assembly, the manufacturer believes a specific airbag wire located in the steering wheel could have been improperly positioned. As a result, this wire may chafe, exposing bare copper and creating the potential for a short circuit that would illuminate the warning lamp.

If not serviced — and unique circumstances occur — Ford conceded that an inadvertent driver frontal airbag deployment may occur.‬

In most cases when this model Ford F-150 has experienced an inadvertent airbag deployment related to this issue, the automaker insisted it has occurred within the first few seconds following vehicle start-up.

“There are very few reports that indicate the vehicle was on a public roadway when the deployment occurred,” Ford spokesperson Wes Sherwood emphasized. “Ford is aware of one customer that jumped from the vehicle after a deployment that occurred in a driveway.”‬

Ford said it plans to notify affected owners early next month, asking them to bring their vehicles to a local franchise dealer for replacement of the wiring harness.

“This repair is expected to take less than one half day. There will be no cost to customers and they should schedule the service with their dealers.” Sherwood noted.

The automaker cited its own investigation that determined the majority of these recalled models were originally built at the Norfolk, Va., Assembly Plant from November 2004 through June 2005.

“Our analysis shows the majority of complaints involved vehicles built during the first shift of Norfolk production from November 2004 through June 2005,” Sherwood pointed out.