More than 153,000 of the affected vehicles are 2004 to 2006 Ford Ranger trucks, with the manufacturer looking to find 45 missing and potentially dangerous Takata air bags, according to The Associated Press. Ford also lists Ranger models from the years 2005 to 2011, Edge SUVs from 2007 to 2010, Fusions from 2006 to 2012, Mustangs from 2005 to 2014 and Ford GTs from 2005 to 2006 as vehicles that have been recalled.
In addition, 2006 to 2011 Mercury Milans are listed on the Ford recall site, while the AP report indicates that 2007 to 2010 Lincoln MKXs and Lincoln MKZs from 2010 to 2012 are also part of the recall. The recall site has a tool allowing owners to check their vehicle VIN number if they are not certain whether it is affected. The company says that “parts are available to order for all Ford and Mercury vehicles and we urge customers to contact their dealer immediately for free repairs.”
Ford also says that letters should have been sent to most owners affected by the recall. After the air bags in the affected vehicles are inspected by dealers, it is expected to take less than half a day to replace most that are found to be faulty. Dealers are authorized to provide loaner vehicles or free ride share or shuttle transportation to those requiring repairs.
The recall is the latest chapter in the largest recall effort in the history of U.S. automobiles. Japanese air bag manufacturer Takata went bankrupt in 2017 following years of lawsuits and criminal investigations, with remaining assets of the company later sold to Michigan-based Key Safety Systems.
Phased recalls that began in 2016, involving many manufacturers in addition to Ford, have affected a total of around 67 million Takata air bags in tens of millions of vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The NHTSA says that 18 people have been killed in the U.S. due to the defective air bags, while at least another 250 were injured when the safety devices exploded. Most of the injuries reported worldwide were seen in Honda vehicles. The Takata air bags exploded due to heat and humidity causing unwanted reactions with the chemical ammonium nitrate, which was used to inflate the bags.
Ford says that none of the air bags in vehicles affected by Thursday’s recall are known to have caused any injuries or accidents. A petition to exempt several Ford and Mazda models from the recall was denied by the NHTSA in January, according to Consumer Reports. The NHTSA website includes a longer list of vehicles affected by the massive recall, as well as a tool to check VIN numbers.
