ECNETNews reports that Ford Motor Co. and Mazda North American Operations have issued urgent “Do Not Drive” warnings for over 457,000 vehicles equipped with unrepaired Takata air bags. Vehicle owners are strongly advised to refrain from driving these vehicles until they receive the free repair and the defective air bag is replaced.
Affected Vehicles:
- Ford’s Warning: Affects 374,290 vehicles from model years 2004-2014, including:
- 2004-2006 Ranger
- 2005-2006 GT
- 2005-2014 Mustang
- 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr, Mercury Milan
- 2007-2010 Edge, Lincoln MKX
- 2007-2011 Ranger
- Mazda’s Warning: Affects 82,893 vehicles from model years 2003-2015, including:
- 2004-2006 B-Series
- 2007-2009 B-Series
- 2003-2008 Mazda6, MazdaSpeed6
- 2004-2011 RX-8
- 2004-2006 MPV
- 2009-2013 Mazda6, CX-7, CX-9
With many of these vehicles being over 20 years old, the risk of air bag rupture during a crash is significantly heightened. An explosion can lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
Immediate Action Required:
- Check for Recalls: Vehicle owners should promptly verify if their vehicle is under an open Takata air bag recall. This can be easily done by visiting the manufacturer’s website.
- Schedule a Free Repair: If a recall is indicated, contact your dealership to arrange a free repair at the earliest convenience.
- Follow Manufacturer Warnings: Ford and Mazda offer free towing, mobile repair services, and loaner vehicles if necessary, ensuring that owners can quickly resolve this critical safety issue.
To date, the NHTSA has recorded 27 fatalities in the U.S. linked to defective Takata air bags, with at least 400 reported injuries caused by exploding inflators. The older the vehicle, the greater the associated risk due to the aging air bags.
