New Advisory: Do Not Drive Vehicles with Takata Airbag Inflators
It has been almost a decade since Ford, Mazda, and other automakers first issued warnings about the hazardous airbag inflators manufactured by Takata. Shockingly, Ford reports that there are still approximately 374,300 of these inflators on the roads in the United States (765,600 globally), while Mazda lists an additional 83,000 vehicles. Considering the alarming number of potentially dangerous vehicles still in use, Ford, Mazda, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have issued a renewed advisory, urging owners not to drive these cars and trucks.
A Grave Issue Illustrated by Tragic Incidents
The seriousness of this problem cannot be emphasized enough. In 2022, NHTSA confirmed that a driver in a 2006 Ford Ranger pickup truck lost their life when the steering-wheel-mounted airbag ruptured and sent shrapnel towards the driver. This tragic incident was not an isolated case, as NHTSA previously reported 23 fatalities in the United States caused by ruptured airbag inflators. In light of these incidents, Ford and Mazda are deeply concerned that the aging of these vehicles increases the likelihood of the airbags exploding and expelling sharp metal fragments during a crash, potentially resulting in severe injury or even death for the driver and passengers.
Cars and Trucks Covered by the Warning
Ford’s warning applies to a total of 374,290 vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2012. The affected models include the 2005-2006 GT, 2005-2014 Mustang, 2006-2012 Fusion, 2006-2012 Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2012 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Edge, 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX, and 2007-2011 Ranger.
Mazda’s warning covers 82,893 vehicles produced between 2003 and 2015. The models affected are the 2004-2009 B-Series, 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6, 2004-2011 RX-8, 2004-2006 MPV, 2009-2013 Mazda6, 2007-2012 CX-7, and 2007-2015 CX-9.
Persistent Efforts to Alert Vehicle Owners
It is important to note that Ford, along with other automakers, has made concerted efforts to inform owners about the dangers of potentially faulty airbag inflators. To date, Ford has made over 121 million outreach attempts in the United States alone, including letters, emails, phone calls, text messages, and more than 1 million visits to customer homes. While these efforts have been extensive, some vehicle owners may still be unaware of the risks. Ford and Mazda are committed to continuing their efforts to replace these dangerous parts, emphasizing that replacement components are readily available.
Safety Measures and Assistance for Vehicle Owners
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, it is crucial to reiterate that driving a vehicle equipped with one of these faulty airbag inflators could jeopardize your life. To address this issue, both Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repair services, and, if necessary, loaner vehicles to ensure that affected vehicles are taken out of circulation until the inflators are replaced.
Conclusion
The ongoing presence of vehicles with potentially dangerous Takata airbag inflators on the roads is a severe concern that demands immediate attention and action from both vehicle owners and automakers. The tragic incidents involving ruptured airbag inflators highlight the urgent need to address this issue. Ford, Mazda, and the NHTSA have issued a strong warning and are actively working to replace these faulty parts to safeguard the lives of drivers and passengers. It is crucial for vehicle owners to take this advisory seriously and promptly reach out to Ford or Mazda to have their airbag inflators replaced. Remember, your safety is paramount, and driving a vehicle with a faulty airbag inflator is simply not worth the risk.
