Ford and Mazda are urging owners of over 475,000 older vehicles in the U.S. to avoid driving them due to potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators that have not been replaced. The warning, issued recently, covers more than 374,000 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles from 2004 to 2014, as well as almost 83,000 Mazdas from 2003 to 2015. These inflators have the potential to explode with excessive force in a crash, posing a serious risk of injury or death.
Specific Ford models affected include Rangers, Mustangs, Ford GTs, Fusions, and Edge SUVs, while Mercury and Lincoln models like the Milan, MKZ, Zephyr, and MKX are also included. Mazdas impacted by the warning range from B-Series pickups to CX-7 and CX-9 SUVs.
The faulty Takata inflators have resulted in numerous deaths worldwide, leading to a massive auto recall. Owners can check their vehicle’s recall status on the NHTSA website or Ford and Mazda’s recall websites. If affected, owners are advised to cease driving the car immediately and arrange for a repair appointment. Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repairs, and loaner vehicles.
The NHTSA emphasizes the severity of the issue, stating that even minor accidents could trigger the deadly air bag malfunction. Several automakers have issued similar warnings, underscoring the critical need for immediate action to replace the defective inflators.
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