Ford and Mazda are warning people not to drive more than 475,000 older vehicles in the United States because they contain dangerous Takata airbag inflators that have not been replaced.
The warning issued Tuesday applies to more than 374,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles from the 2004 to 2014 model years, and about 83,000 Mazda vehicles from the 2003 to 2015 model years.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that if the inflator explodes too quickly during a crash, the metal container could burst and send shrapnel flying, causing serious injury or death. All vehicles were previously recalled for the problem, but repairs have not been completed.
Ford models affected by the warning include the 2004 to 2011 Ranger pickup, 2005 to 2014 Mustang, 2005 and 2006 Ford GT, 2006 to 2012 Fusion and 2007 to 2010 Edge SUVs.
Affected Mercury and Lincoln models include the 2006-2012 Milan, MKZ and Zephyr, and the 2007-2010 MKX.
Mazda vehicles affected by the warning include the 2004 to 2009 B-series pickups, the 2003 to 2013 Mazda 6, 2006 and 2007 Speed 6, and the 2004 to 2011 RX-8.
Also included are the 2004 to 2006 MPV, the 2007 to 2012 CX-7 and the 2007 to 2015 CX-9.
The government says 27 people have died in the United States due to faulty Takata inflators. Volatile ammonium nitrate was used In the event of a collision, a small explosion is generated to inflate the airbag.
The chemical can degrade over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. More than 400 people have been injured in the United States.
Worldwide, at least 35 people have died from Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia and the United States.
The potential for dangerous failures has led to the largest auto recall in U.S. history, affecting at least 67 million Takata inflators.
The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide.
Airbag explosion leads to Takata Bankruptcy.
Owners can check whether their vehicles are covered by insurance by Go to the NHTSA website and enter your vehicle identification number or license plate number.
Ford and Mazda There is also a recall website.
If a vehicle has a Takata inflator that has not been repaired, owners should stop driving it and call their dealer to schedule an appointment for repairs.
According to the NHTSA, Ford and Mazda offer free towing, on-site repairs and loaner vehicles if needed.
“Even minor crashes can cause Takata airbags to rupture, causing death or serious, life-changing injuries,” the agency said in a statement. “Older model year vehicles put occupants at higher risk.”
Ford says more than 765,000 of the airbag inflators installed in Ford and Lincoln vehicles worldwide should not be driven until they are replaced.
The company made more than 121 million attempts to contact owners in the United States, including by email, phone calls, text messages and visits to customers’ homes.
The company said more than 95 percent of its U.S. customers have had their inflators replaced.
Nissan, Honda, Stellantis, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Mazda Similar “driving bans” have been issued before. A warning is displayed on some vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.
