Autoweek reports that Nearly 160,000 Ford, Mercury and Mazda SUVs are being recalled so padding can be strengthened to protect drivers' heads in crashes. The vehicles are 2005 Ford Escapes, Mercury Mariners and Mazda Tributes that are not equipped with side airbag curtains or sunroofs. The padding will be modified near the left A-pillar and roof rail.

One of the Escapes failed a compliance test for head protection conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Ford Motor Co. safety officials told NHTSA that the company had conducted the same test many times without a failure.

The test involves bumping a crash dummy's head against a series of possible interior contact points. Ford Motor argued that the test has too many variables.

But Ford and Mazda North American Operations decided to conduct the recall "to avoid a protracted dispute with the agency," wrote James Vondale, director of Ford's automotive safety office.

Story: Autoweek