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 wide range 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 airbag 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 these vehicles were previously recalled, many owners have not yet completed the necessary repairs.
Ford models affected by this warning include popular vehicles such as the Ranger pickups, Mustangs, Ford GTs, Fusions, and Edge SUVs from various model years. Similarly, Mercury and Lincoln models like the Milan, MKZ, Zephyr, and MKX are also included in the warning.
Mazda vehicles covered by the warning range from the B-Series pickup to the Mazda 6, Speed6, RX-8, MPV, CX-7, and CX-9. The potential risks associated with these Takata inflators have already resulted in 27 deaths in the U.S. and more than 400 injuries. Globally, at least 35 fatalities have been linked to Takata inflators in countries like Malaysia, Australia, and the U.S.
The widespread impact of these faulty inflators has led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with millions of vehicles affected. 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.
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 owners. The NHTSA emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue promptly, as even minor crashes can trigger the deadly malfunction of Takata airbags.
Ford has made extensive efforts to reach out to affected owners, with over 121 million attempts to contact them through various channels. Other automakers like Nissan, Honda, Stellantis, BMW, Toyota, and Mazda have also issued similar warnings for vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.
In conclusion, the safety of vehicle occupants is paramount, and addressing the issue of faulty Takata airbag inflators is crucial to preventing further tragedies. Owners are urged to take immediate action to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road.