Ford and Mazda are warning the owners of more than 475,000 older vehicles in the U.S. not to drive them due to dangerous Takata air bag 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 has stated that the inflators in these vehicles can explode with too much force in a crash, causing a metal canister to blow apart and shoot fragments that can severely injure or kill people. While all the vehicles were previously recalled, the necessary repairs have not been completed.
Ford models affected by the warning include 2004 to 2011 Ranger pickups, 2005 through 2014 Mustangs, 2005 and 2006 Ford GTs, 2006 through 2012 Fusions, and 2007 through 2010 Edge SUVs. Mercury and Lincoln models covered include the Milan, MKZ, and Zephyr from 2006 through 2012, as well as the MKX from 2007 through 2010.
Mazdas included in the warning are the 2004 to 2009 B-Series pickup, 2003 through 2013 Mazda 6, 2006 and 2007 Speed6, and the 2004 through 2011 RX-8. Additionally, the 2004 through 2006 MPV, the 2007 through 2012 CX-7, and the 2007 through 2015 CX-9 are also affected.
The government reports that 27 people in the U.S. have been killed by faulty Takata inflators, with over 400 people injured. Worldwide, at least 35 deaths have been linked to Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia, and the U.S.
The potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. Despite the recalls, many inflators remain unrepaired. Takata filed for bankruptcy due to the exploding air bags.
Owners can check if their vehicles are affected by visiting the NHTSA website or the recall websites of Ford and Mazda. If a vehicle has an unrepaired Takata inflator, owners should stop driving it immediately and contact a dealer to schedule a repair appointment. Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repairs, and loaner vehicles if needed.
The NHTSA emphasizes the seriousness of the issue, stating that even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can be fatal or cause life-altering injuries. Ford has made extensive efforts to contact owners and replace inflators, with over 95% of U.S. customers having had their inflators replaced.
Other automakers, including Nissan, Honda, Stellantis, BMW, and Toyota, have issued similar „do not drive“ warnings for vehicles equipped with Takata inflators. The safety of drivers and passengers is paramount, and it is crucial to address this issue promptly to prevent further tragedies.