Ford and Mazda have issued a warning to owners of older vehicles in the United States and Canada, urging them not to drive their cars due to dangerous Takata airbag inflators that have not been replaced. The warning, issued on Tuesday, covers over 374,000 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 in the U.S. has stated that the Takata airbag inflators in these vehicles can explode with too much force in a crash, causing the metal canister to blow apart and shoot out fragments that can severely injure or kill people. Although all of these vehicles were previously recalled, many owners have not yet had the necessary repairs completed.
In Canada, approximately 71,000 Mazda vehicles and 160,900 Ford vehicles are part of the recall. Both companies are offering repair services through their dealerships, allowing owners to arrange for their vehicles to be towed directly to a Mazda or Ford dealership for a permanent fix.
Ford models affected by the warning include Ranger pickups from 2004 to 2011, Mustangs from 2005 through 2014, Ford GTs from 2005 and 2006, Fusions from 2006 through 2012, and Edge SUVs from 2007 through 2010. Mercury and Lincoln models covered by the warning include the Milan, MKZ, and Zephyr from 2006 through 2012, as well as the MKX from 2007 through 2010.
Mazda vehicles included in the warning are the B-Series pickup from 2004 to 2009, Mazda 6 from 2003 through 2013, Speed6 from 2006 and 2007, RX-8 from 2004 through 2011, MPV from 2004 through 2006, CX-7 from 2007 through 2012, and CX-9 from 2007 through 2015.
The U.S. government has reported that 27 people have been killed in the country due to faulty Takata inflators, with over 400 people injured. Worldwide, at least 35 people have lost their lives in countries such as Malaysia, Australia, and the U.S. due to Takata inflator malfunctions.
The Takata airbag defect has led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million inflators involved. Despite the extensive recall efforts, many inflators remain unrepaired, posing a continued risk to drivers and passengers. The exploding airbags ultimately led Takata to file for bankruptcy.
Several other automakers, including Nissan, Honda, Stellantis, BMW, and Toyota, have also issued similar „do not drive“ warnings for vehicles equipped with Takata inflators. It is crucial for owners of affected vehicles to take immediate action to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road.