U.S. automaker Ford on Wednesday issued a warning to users of its vehicles equipped with Takata airbags not to drive their cars unless their cars have been repaired under three previous safety recalls issued by the company.
In the statement, Ford explains that these previously announced recalls (15S21, 17S42 and 19S01), the first issued in 2015, concern several ranges of vehicles equipped with Takata non-desiccating airbag inflators.
This no driving noticeis the second Takata-related product issued by Ford and is intended to encourage owners to immediately complete repairs from the previous recall, the company says.
Ford emphasizes that the age of these vehicles There is an increasing likelihood that a part inside the airbag will explode and expel sharp metal fragments during a collision, which could cause serious injury or death to the driver or passengers.
Approximately 765,600 airbag inflators in Ford and Lincoln vehicles are affected worldwide, including 374,300 in the United States.
Ford explains that continue to try to communicate with customers about these recalls, with more than 121 million communication attempts to date in the United States alone, including letters, emails, phone calls, text messages and more than one million survey visits to customers' homes.
Accordingly, Ford notes that 95% of US customers made Takata withdrawals.
Affected cars
The do not drive warning applies to all customers who have not made withdrawals. 15S21, 17S42 and 19S01including driver and passenger airbag inflators in Ford Ranger Trucks 2004-2006; Ford Mustang 2005-2014; Ford GT 2005-2006
And passenger airbag inflators in vehicles 2006-2012 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr; 2007-2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX; and 2007-2011 Ford Ranger trucks.
Similarly, Ford indicates that parts are now availableso that customers can request mobile service or dealers can tow vehicles directly for repair. Dealers also will provide a free temporary loan vehicleIf necessary, notify the American brand.