The issue of airbag recalls continues to be a concern for thousands of vehicles, with Ford Motor Co. and Mazda North American Operations recently issuing „Do Not Drive“ advisories for certain vehicles that have not yet had their faulty Takata airbags repaired. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has urged owners of recalled vehicles equipped with non-desiccated Takata airbags to immediately stop driving their cars and get the airbags fixed or replaced.
Ford’s advisory comes after three previously announced recalls (15S21, 17S42, and 19S01) dating back to 2015, involving various vehicle lines equipped with Takata non-desiccated airbag inflators. The automaker emphasized the potential danger of these airbags exploding and releasing sharp metal fragments during a crash, posing a serious risk of injury or death to the driver and passengers. The affected vehicles include models from 2004 to 2014, such as Ford Ranger trucks, Ford Mustang vehicles, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr vehicles, and others.
Similarly, Mazda issued a warning covering certain model year 2003-2015 vehicles, including B-Series, Mazda6, MazdaSpeed6, MPV, RX-8, CX-7, and CX-9 models. The NHTSA highlighted the urgency of addressing these recalls, especially considering that some of these vehicles are over 20 years old, increasing the likelihood of airbag ruptures in the event of a crash.
The Takata airbag inflators have been linked to numerous deaths and injuries in the U.S., prompting the recall of millions of vehicles. The severity of the issue led Takata of Japan into bankruptcy. Both Ford and Mazda have assured customers that the airbags on affected vehicles will be repaired or replaced free of charge to ensure their safety.
To determine if your vehicle is part of the recall, you can check by entering your VIN number or license number on the respective automaker’s website or the NHTSA’s recall portal. If you suspect a safety defect in your vehicle that is not part of a current recall, you can contact the NHTSA online or by phone for further assistance.
In conclusion, the airbag recall remains a critical issue affecting the safety of vehicle occupants. Owners of affected vehicles are strongly advised to heed the warnings from Ford, Mazda, and the NHTSA, and take immediate action to address the faulty airbags to prevent potential harm. Stay informed and proactive in ensuring the safety of yourself and others on the road.