The recent warning issued by Ford and Mazda to owners of over 475,000 older vehicles in the U.S. regarding dangerous Takata air bag inflators has raised concerns about the safety of these vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has highlighted the potential risks associated with these inflators, which can explode with excessive force in a crash, leading to severe injuries or fatalities. Despite being previously recalled, many of these vehicles have not undergone the necessary repairs, making them unsafe to drive.
The affected Ford models include a range of vehicles from the 2004 through 2014 model years, such as Ranger pickups, Mustangs, Ford GTs, Fusions, and Edge SUVs. Additionally, Mercury and Lincoln models like the Milan, MKZ, Zephyr, and MKX are also included in the warning. On the Mazda side, vehicles like the B-Series pickup, Mazda 6, Speed6, RX-8, MPV, CX-7, and CX-9 from various model years are affected.
The use of volatile ammonium nitrate in Takata inflators has been linked to numerous fatalities and injuries in the U.S. and other countries like Malaysia and Australia. The chemical’s deterioration over time, especially in high temperatures and humidity, poses a significant risk to vehicle occupants. This has led to a massive auto recall effort, with millions of Takata inflators being identified for replacement globally.
To check if their vehicles are covered by the recall, owners can visit the NHTSA website or the recall websites of Ford and Mazda. If a vehicle is found to have an unrepaired Takata inflator, owners are advised to stop driving the vehicle immediately and contact a dealer to schedule a repair appointment. Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repairs, and loaner vehicles to affected customers to ensure their safety.
The seriousness of the issue is underscored by the NHTSA’s statement that even minor crashes can trigger the malfunction of Takata air bags, resulting in devastating consequences. Ford has made extensive efforts to reach out to owners and facilitate the replacement of inflators, with a high success rate in the U.S. Other automakers like Nissan, Honda, Stellantis, BMW, Toyota, and Mazda have also issued similar warnings for vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.
In conclusion, the Takata air bag inflator issue remains a critical concern for vehicle safety, and owners must take immediate action to address the problem. By heeding the warnings and getting their vehicles repaired promptly, owners can ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road.