Ford and Mazda ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning for More Than 457,000 Vehicles Due to Recalled Takata Air Bags

Ford Motor Co. and Mazda North American Operations issued emergency “Do Not Drive” warnings for more than 457,000 vehicles equipped with the recalled, unrepaired Takata air bags. Vehicle owners are strongly urged not to drive these vehicles until the free repair is completed and the malfunctioning air bag is replaced.

Affected Vehicles:

• Ford’s warning: It covers 374,290 vehicles from the years 2004-2014, including:
  • 2004-2006 Ranger
  • 2005-2006 GT
  • 2005-2014 Mustang
  • 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr, Mercury Milan
  • 2007-2010 Edge, Lincoln MKX
  • 2007-2011 Ranger
• Mazda warning: It includes 82,893 vehicles from the years 2003-2015, including:
  • 2004-2006 B-Series
  • 2007-2009 B-Series
  • 2003-2008 Mazda6, MazdaSpeed6
  • 2004-2011 RX-8
  • 2004-2006 MPV
  • 2009-2013 Mazda6, CX-7, CX-9

Some of these vehicles are more than 20 years old, which increases the risk of an airbag exploding in an accident. If an explosion occurs, it can lead to serious injury or death.

Immediate Action Required:

• Check Recall: Car owners should immediately check if their car has a deployed Takata airbag. This can be done by visiting the recall manufacturer’s website.
• Schedule a Free Repair: If a recall is found, contact your dealer to arrange a free repair as soon as possible.
• Follow Manufacturer’s Warnings: Ford and Mazda offer free towing, mobile repair, and, if necessary, loaner vehicles to ensure that owners can address the issue without delay.

So far, the NHTSA has confirmed 27 deaths in the US due to defective Takata airbags, and at least 400 people have reportedly been injured by exploding inflators. Older cars, in particular, pose a greater risk due to the age of the air bag.