Ford and Mazda have taken a step in ensuring the safety of their customers by issuing a Do Not Drive advisory for over 457,000 vehicles in the United States. The warning is a result of the issues related to Takata airbags, which have been linked to numerous fatalities and injuries over the years.
Also Read: China’s EVs and Hybrids Surpass 50% of Car Sales for the First Time
The Takata airbag recall is one of the largest and most complex recalls in automotive history. The issue first came to light several years ago when it was discovered that certain Takata airbag inflators could rupture when deployed, sending metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin.
This defect has resulted in at least 27 deaths and over 400 injuries in the United States alone.
Many automakers have been impacted by this recall including Ford and Mazda. Over 67 million airbags have been recalled across various brands with millions of vehicles still on the road that have yet to be repaired.
The advisory affects approximately 457,300 vehicles in the US Specifically, around 83,000 of these vehicles are from Mazda, while 374,300 fall under the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.
The advisory targets vehicles that were previously recalled but have not yet had their defective airbags replaced.
For Mazda, the Affected Models Include:
- 2004-2006 B-series
- 2003-2008 Mazda6
- 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6
- 2004-2008 RX8
- 2007-2009 B-Series
- 2007-2012 CX-7
- 2007-2015 CX-9
- 2009-2013 Mazda6
- 2004-2006 MPV
- 2009-2011 RX8
For Ford, the Models Affected Include:
- 2004-2006 Ford Ranger trucks
- 2005-2014 Ford Mustangs
- 2005-2006 Ford GT
- 2006-2012 Ford Fusion
- 2006-2012 Mercury Milan
- 2006-2012 Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr
- 2007-2010 Ford Edge
- 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX
- 2007-2011 Ford Ranger trucks
The advisory is urgent for older vehicles, as the risk of airbag inflator rupture increases with age. The NHTSA highlighted that some of the affected vehicles are now more than 20 years old, which increases the danger. A rupture during a crash could lead to severe injury or death.
Both the companies have advised owners of the affected vehicles not to drive them until the necessary repairs have been completed.
Owners of affected vehicles should immediately check to see if their car is part of the recall. This can be done by visiting the recall websites of Ford and Mazda or by contacting their local dealerships.
The NHTSA’s website also provides a tool where drivers can enter their vehicle identification number (VIN) to see if their car is under recall.
Also Read: 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV: Pricing, Specs and Features
If a vehicle is part of the recall, owners should contact their local dealership as soon as possible to schedule a repair. Both companies have confirmed that the necessary replacement parts are readily available.
The repair process involves replacing the defective airbag inflator with a new, safe unit. According to Mazda, this installation should take roughly an hour depending on the model.
Ford has advised that the dealership will be able to provide an estimate of how long the repair will take for each specific vehicle.
The vehicles in question were previously recalled under various campaigns such as Ford’s 15S21, 17S42 and 19S01, beginning in 2015.
A huge number of affected vehicles have not yet been repaired. Both companies have conducted outreach efforts with Ford alone making over 121 million attempts to contact affected owners through letters, emails, phone calls, text messages and even door-to-door visits. About 5% of the affected vehicles in the US remain unrepaired.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been at the forefront of monitoring the Takata airbag situation, issuing statements and warnings to the public.
The NHTSA addresses that even minor accidents can trigger an airbag explosion leading to life-altering injuries or death.
Owners of the identified vehicles are advised to stop driving them immediately until the airbag inflators are replaced.
Owners should check if their vehicle is part of the recall by visiting the NHTSA website, Ford’s recall site (www.ford.com/support/recalls/) or Mazda’s recall information site (www.mazdarecallinfo.com/).
This can be done by entering the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number. Affected owners should contact their local dealer to arrange for the replacement of the defective airbags.
Both companies have committed to replacing the airbags free of charge. To facilitate repairs, both companies are offering free towing services, mobile repair options and loaner vehicles to ensure that vehicle owners can have the necessary work done without undue inconvenience.
The Takata airbag inflator issue has led to the largest series of automotive recalls in US history, involving at least 67 million inflators. Globally over 100 million inflators have been recalled.
To ease the inconvenience for customers, both companies are providing additional services. For those who are unable or unwilling to drive their vehicle to the dealership, Ford and Mazda are offering free towing services.
While the repair is being completed, customers may be provided with a loaner vehicle to use at no cost.
In some cases mobile repair services may be available, allowing the repair to be completed at the customer’s home or another location of their choosing.
Also Read: Cruisezilla Ships have Doubled in Size Since 2000, T&E Reveals
