Ford issues do-not-drive warning for older Ranger, Mustang, Lincolns

Ford on Tuesday issued a do-not-drive warning to owners of several older models that have not had potentially lethal Takata airbag inflators replaced under three previous recalls.

In a press release, Ford said there were still outstanding driver and passenger airbag inflator replacements for the following vehicles:

• 2004-2006 Ranger
• 2005-2014 Mustang
• 2005-2006 GT

Additionally, passenger airbag inflators need replacement in the following models:

• 2006-2012 Ford Fusion
• 2006-2012 Mercury Milan
• 2006-2012 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ
• 2007-2010 Ford Edge
• 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX
• 2007-2011 Ford Ranger

The first of the three recalls dates back to 2015, when Ford and many other automakers were made aware that airbag inflators from Japanese automotive supplier Takata may have had unstable pyrotechnic elements that could cause them to explode and spew metal shrapnel into drivers and passengers during a crash. Approximately 765,600 airbag inflators in Ford and Lincoln vehicles are affected globally, including 374,300 in the U.S., according to the automaker.

Ford claims that 95% of customers have completed recall repairs, as a result of more than 121 million outreach attempts to date in the U.S. via letters, emails, phone calls, text messages, and more than one million in-person visits to customer homes. But that still leaves some vehicles with potentially defective airbag inflators, and their age makes it increasingly likely that the inflators will explode, according to Ford.

Parts to replace the inflators are available now. Customers can request mobile service, or have their cars towed to a dealership to have the recall work done, free of charge. Dealers will also provide free loaner cars, if necessary.

Owners can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or visit the automaker’s recall website.