Ford and Mazda Issue Urgent “Do Not Drive” Warning for Over 475,000 Vehicles
Ford Motor Company and Mazda North American Operations have issued a critical warning to owners of more than 475,000 older vehicles in the United States, urging them not to drive due to potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that these inflators can explode with excessive force, potentially causing severe injury or death.
The warning covers approximately 374,000 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2014, as well as nearly 83,000 Mazda vehicles produced from 2003 to 2015. All affected vehicles were previously recalled, but repairs remain incomplete.
Ford’s affected models include the 2004-2011 Ranger pickups, 2005-2014 Mustangs, 2005-2006 Ford GTs, 2006-2012 Fusions, and 2007-2010 Edge SUVs. Mercury and Lincoln vehicles impacted are the Milan, MKZ, and Zephyr from 2006-2012, and the MKX from 2007-2010.
Mazda’s list of affected vehicles comprises the 2004-2009 B-Series pickup, 2003-2013 Mazda 6, 2006-2007 Speed6, 2004-2011 RX-8, 2004-2006 MPV, 2007-2012 CX-7, and 2007-2015 CX-9.
The Takata air bag inflator issue has been linked to 27 fatalities and over 400 injuries in the United States alone. The inflators use volatile ammonium nitrate, which can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity.
Vehicle owners are advised to check their vehicle’s status on the NHTSA website using their vehicle identification or license plate numbers. Both Ford and Mazda have also set up recall websites for easy verification. If a vehicle is found to have an unrepaired Takata inflator, owners should immediately stop driving and contact a dealer for repair.
To facilitate the repair process, Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repairs, and loaner vehicles where necessary.
The NHTSA has emphasized the particularly high risk associated with older model year vehicles, warning that even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags, potentially causing severe injuries or death.
As this urgent safety recall continues to unfold, authorities stress the importance of swift action by vehicle owners to ensure their safety and that of their passengers.
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