<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1voeWl_0uzSUH4T00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1voeWl_0uzSUH4T00" width="500" height="334" ></figure>Ford Motor Co. and Mazda North American Operations have issued a “do not drive” warning for more than 457,000 vehicles equipped with recalled Takata air bags, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) press release. Approximately 67 million air bags used by 19 OEMs have been recalled because the air bags can explode when deployed, causing serious injuries or death. The inflators use phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate as a propellant that has been known to result in violent explosions and send metal shrapnel into the faces of vehicle occupants.“If you have one of these vehicles, do not drive it until the repair is completed and the defective air bag is replaced,” the release says in bold. The warning covers all unrepaired recalled Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Mazda vehicles equipped with the air bags. Mazda’s warning is for model years 2003-2015 and covers 83,893 vehicles, it says. Ford’s warning is for model years between 2004-2014. Overall, there are 375,290 Ford vehicles that the warning covers, the release says. NHTSA has confirmed 27 people were killed and 400 injured in the U.S. by the defective air bags, the release says. Even minor crashes can result in the air bags exploding, it says. It adds older model year vehicles put occupants at higher risk. “Some of these vehicles are now more than 20 years old, which increases the risk of an air bag rupturing in a crash,” the release says. “If an explosion occurs, it can severely injure or kill vehicle occupants. NHTSA is urging all vehicle owners to immediately check to see if their vehicle has an open Takata air bag recall. If it does, owners should contact their dealership to schedule a free repair as soon as possible and follow any warnings from the vehicle manufacturer.” Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repair, and, if necessary, loaner vehicles, according to the release. Ford said it will continue to notify known owners of the vehicle every month in a variety of communication channels. For information on the Ford warning, click here. The warning includes the following campaigns: <ul><li>17V787, 17V788</li><li>2004-2006 Ranger </li></ul><ul><li>2005-2006 GT</li><li>2005-2014 Mustang</li></ul><ul><li>16V384, 17V024, 18V046, 19V001</li></ul><ul><li>2005-2006 GT</li><li>2005-2014 Mustang</li><li>2006-2012 Fusion</li><li>2006-2012 Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr</li><li>2006-2012 Mercury Milan</li><li>2007-2010 Edge</li><li>2007-2010 Lincoln MKX</li><li>2007-2011 Ranger</li></ul>For information on the Mazda recalls, click here. Mazda’s warning includes the following campaigns: <ul><li>17V806, 17V807</li><li>2004-2006 B-Series</li></ul><ul><li>16V499, 17V013, 18V016</li><li>2007-2009 B-Series</li></ul><ul><li>17V474, 18V402, 18V403, 18V404, 19V488, 19V781</li><li>2003-2008 Mazda6</li><li>2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6</li><li>2004-2011 RX-8</li><li>2004-2006 MPV</li></ul><ul><li>17V429, 17V457, 18V018, 18V717, 19V782</li></ul><ul><li>2009-2013 Mazda6</li><li>2007-2012 CX-7</li><li>2007-2015 CX-9</li></ul>Collision repairers can check a customer’s vehicle for recalls through multiple tools including NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool. The tool can be used by entering the vehicle’s license plate number, VIN or Year Make and Model. When searching by license plate or VIN, the tool will provide specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall, according to the site. When searching by a vehicle’s year, make and model, or for car seats, tires or equipment, you’ll get general results for recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications.Repairers can also stay up-to-date on recalls by signing up for NHTSA’s alerts email at NHTSA.gov/Alerts. General Motors (GM) issued a recall for more than 900 vehicles equipped with Takata air bags last week. NHTSA said certain model year 2013 Buick Veranos and three Chevrolets — the Volt, Sonic, and Camaro — are under recall. The OEM said its dealers will replace the front driver air bag module on affected vehicles for free, and owners will be sent notifications beginning Sept. 11.The recall number is N232413120. Those with questions can call Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.Last month, NHTSA issued a “do not drive” warning for 2003 Dodge Ram 1500s after a passenger was killed by a Takata air bag rupture.IMAGESPhoto courtesy of saravuth-photohut/iStock</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Ford, Mazda issue ‘Do Not Drive’ warnings for 457,000 vehicles

Ford Motor Co. and Mazda North American Operations have issued a “do not drive” warning for more than 457,000 vehicles equipped with recalled Takata air bags, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) press release. Approximately 67 million air bags used by 19 OEMs have been...