More than 457,000 vehicles have received “do not drive” warnings from Ford Motor Company and Mazda North American Operations.
A list of all affected models can be found here.
NHTSA Statement
According to a statement released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these automobiles and trucks were equipped with Takata airbags.
These airbags were recalled and have not been repaired.
Subject of Recalls
In the past, Takata airbags have been the subject of recalls.
Drivers have been told, “If you have one of these vehicles, do not drive it until the repair is finished and the defective air bag is replaced.”
Increased Risks
Some of the vehicles on the list are more than 20 years old, according to the Traffic Safety Administration.
This raises the possibility of an airbag bursting in a collision.
“Severely Injure or Kill”
It stated that an explosion “can severely injure or kill vehicle occupants” in the event of a crash.
The Ford warning applies to 374,290 models manufactured between 2004 and 2014.
Impacted Ford Models
The main Ford models are: 17V787, 17V788 from 2004 to 2006 Ranger 15V319 from 2005 to 2006 GT from 2005 to 2014 Mustang 16V384, 17V024, 18V046, and 19V001 from 2005 to 2006 GT from 2006 to 2014.
Further models include: Mustang Fusion from 2006 to 2012 Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr from 2006 to 2012 Mercury Milan from 2007 to 2010 Edge from 2007 to 2010 Lincoln MKX from 2007 to 2011 Range.
Mazda Warning
The warning from Mazda covers 82,893 models, ranging in years from 2003 to 2015. The models include:
17V806, 17V807 from 2004 to 2006 B-Series 16V499, 17V013, 18V016 from 2007 to 2009 B-Series 17V474, 18V402, 18V403, 18V404, 19V488, 19V781 from 2003 to 2008 Mazda6 from 2006 to 2007 MazdaSpeed6 from 2011 to present RX-8 from 2004 to present MPV 17V429, 17V457, 18V018, 18V717, 19V782 from 2009 to 2013.
Mazda and Ford Services
Both your Mazda and Ford automobiles can be inspected on the Ford website.
Ford and Mazda are providing free towing, mobile repairs, and, in the event that they are required, loaner vehicles.
Deaths and Injuries
According to the NHTSA, defective Takata airbags that exploded in the United States have resulted in the deaths of 27 people and injuries of at least 400.
According to the agency’s warning, “Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries.”
Global Recalls
At least 67 million inflators have been recalled in the United States alone as a result of the Takata airbag crisis
Approximately 100 million airbags have been recalled worldwide.
Nissan Advisory
Due to concerns about exploding airbags, Nissan advised owners of nearly 84,000 vehicles manufactured between 2002 and 2006 not to drive their vehicles in May.
The warning was for 2002-2006 Nissan Sentras, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinders and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4s.
Explosion Potential
According to reports, the Nissan models have Takata airbags that have the potential to explode when deployed.
On the Nissan recall page on its website, the company stated, “Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an airbag deployment.”
This would “[propel] sharp metal fragments that can cause serious injury or death.”
