Ford and Mazda have warned more than 475,000 vehicle owners in the U.S., mostly older models, to stop driving them immediately. The reason is a serious defect in the airbag inflators that, if not repaired, can cause serious injury or even death when activated. The airbag inflators have already been recalled three times, so this “do not drive” warning is to ensure that the remaining vehicles that have not yet been repaired can be brought in for immediate inspection.
According to a press release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 475,000 Ford and Mazda vehicles should be off the road because airbag inflators manufactured by Takata can explode beyond their design limits, potentially rupturing the metal canister inside the assembly and firing shrapnel that can injure or kill occupants.
In fact, more than 400 people in the country have been injured by the Takata inflators, while 27 people have reportedly been killed. The defect is due to the decomposition of the ammonium nitrate that Takata used at the time to create a small explosion that inflates the airbags in the event of an accident. Over time, the chemical becomes more volatile when exposed to air and repeated high temperatures.
So it’s not just serious accidents that can cause problems for Takata-equipped vehicles; even minor accidents can result in an explosion that can be fatal or “cause life-changing, gruesome injuries.”
The warning includes the following vehicles:
Ford Ranger (model year 2004-2011)
Ford Mustang (model year 2005-2014)
2005-2005 Ford GT
Ford Fusion (2006-2012)
Ford Edge (model year 2007-2010)
2006–2012 Lincoln/Mercury Milan, MKZ and Zephyr
Lincoln MKX (2007–2010)
2004-2009 Mazda B-Serie
2003-2013 Mazda6
2006-2007 Mazda Speed6
2004-2011 Mazda RX-8
2004-2006 Mazda MPV
2007-2012 Mazda CX-7
2007-2015 Mazda CX-9
Even if these vehicles have been brought in for previous recall repairs, NHTSA urges all owners to immediately check the Ford, Mazda and NHTSA websites to see if their vehicle has an open Takata airbag recall. Repairs are free, with both manufacturers offering free towing, mobile repairs and/or loaner vehicles if needed.
So far, Ford has made 121 million attempts to reach owners. The first recall occurred in 2015, and the company says more than 95 percent of U.S. customers have had their inflators replaced.
