In a recent announcement, Ford and Mazda have issued a warning to the owners of over 475,000 older vehicles in the U.S., urging them not to drive their cars due to dangerous Takata airbag inflators that have not been replaced. This warning, issued on Tuesday, covers a significant number of Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles from the 2004 through 2014 model years, as well as nearly 83,000 Mazdas from the 2003 through 2015 model years.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has highlighted the potential danger posed by these faulty inflators, which can explode with excessive force in the event of a crash. This can lead to the metal canister rupturing and shooting out fragments that can cause severe injuries or even fatalities. While all the affected vehicles were previously recalled, many owners have not yet completed the necessary repairs.
Ford models impacted by this warning include popular vehicles such as the Ranger pickups, Mustangs, Ford GTs, Fusions, and Edge SUVs from various model years. Additionally, Mercury and Lincoln models like the Milan, MKZ, Zephyr, and MKX are also included in the warning.
Mazda vehicles affected by the Takata airbag issue include the B-Series pickup, Mazda 6, Speed6, RX-8, MPV, CX-7, and CX-9 from specific model years. The severity of the problem is underscored by the fact that faulty Takata inflators have resulted in 27 deaths in the U.S. and over 400 injuries. Globally, at least 35 fatalities have been linked to these defective inflators.
The widespread nature of this issue has led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with approximately 67 million Takata inflators involved. Despite these recalls, many inflators remain unrepaired, posing a continued risk to vehicle occupants. Owners can check if their vehicles are affected by visiting the NHTSA website or the recall websites of Ford and Mazda.
In response to the warning, Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repairs, and loaner vehicles to affected owners. The NHTSA emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue promptly, as even minor accidents can trigger the deadly malfunction of Takata airbags. Ford has made extensive efforts to contact owners and replace the faulty inflators, with a high success rate in the U.S.
Other automakers, including Nissan, Honda, Stellantis, BMW, and Toyota, have also issued similar warnings for vehicles equipped with Takata inflators. The gravity of the situation underscores the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of vehicle occupants.