Ford has issued a do-not-drive advisory for the owners of some vehicles who have not had them repaired under three past safety recalls. The previously issued recalls are 15S21, 17S42, and 19S01. The first one was issued in 2015 and involved several vehicles with a Takata non-desiccated airbag inflator. This is the second Takata-related do-not-drive advisory from Ford, and the company said in the advisory that it is intended to encourage owners to have their vehicles repaired immediately.
The advisory applies to all customers who have not completed the above recalls, including driver and passenger airbag inflators in specific vehicles. These vehicles include 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks, 2005-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles, and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles. It also applies to passenger airbag inflators in vehicles such as 2006-2012 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ / Zephyr vehicles, and 2007-2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, among others.
Ford is issuing the do-not-drive advisory for vehicles with Takata airbags due to the age of the vehicles, making it increasingly possible that a part inside the airbag will explode and expel sharp metal fragments during a crash. This could cause serious injury or death for the driver or passengers. The company is still trying to contact customers about these recalls, with more than 121 million outreach attempts to date in the U.S., and more than 95% of U.S. customers under the recalls have completed them.
There are approximately 374,300 airbag inflators in Ford and Lincoln vehicles impacted in the U.S., and 765,600 globally. Parts are available now, and customers can request mobile service or have dealers tow the vehicles directly to the dealership for repair. Dealerships will also provide a free interim loaner vehicle during the repair if necessary.
Ford will continue notifying known owners about the recalls every month with the updated do-not-drive advisory. To see if your vehicle is part of the recall, visit either www.ford.com/support/recalls/ or nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In conclusion, Ford’s do-not-drive advisory for some models with Takata airbags is a crucial safety measure to prevent potential harm to drivers and passengers. It is essential for owners of the affected vehicles to have them repaired immediately to avoid any risks associated with the faulty airbag inflators. Ford is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of its customers and is providing necessary support for the repair process.