① These recalled models can be traced back to 2003; ② As a "black history" in the auto industry, the events of lethal Takata airbags in Japan are still plaguing many car companies worldwide.
On August 14th, Cailianshe (editor Shi Zhengcheng) reported that on Tuesday local time (August 13th), Ford and Mazda North America Corporation issued a warning through the official website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), requiring owners of 0.457 million vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbags not to drive these cars until they have completed the recall and replaced them.
(Source: NHTSA)
These recalled models can be traced back to the Mazda6 in 2003 and the Ford Raptor in 2004. This long-lasting "fatal airbag issue" is particularly thorny to deal with.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that once owners see their vehicles on the list, they should no longer drive these cars. Ford and Mazda will provide free towing and temporary vehicles.
As a "black history" in the auto industry, the Takata airbags produced by Japan's Takata Corporation posed a significant risk of component rupture and projectile metal fragments when the airbags were deployed. Although Takata went bankrupt in 2017, car companies worldwide are still cleaning up this mess.
NHTSA specially warns that even a minor collision can cause the airbag to explode, completely changing the fate of the passenger.
Although there have been 0.1 billion recalls related to this airbag in the past decade, according to research by automotive information company Carfax, as of May of this year, there are still 6.4 million vehicles equipped with problematic airbags roaming the streets.
On Tuesday, Ford also issued a statement saying that nearly 0.765 million Ford and Lincoln cars worldwide are still equipped with defective airbags. In addition, since the recall began, the company has attempted to contact American owners 0.121 billion times, and more than 95% of affected owners have completed the recall. For the remaining customers, the company will continue to send monthly reminders.
Because many unrepaired vehicles are relatively old and have changed hands two to three times, it is quite difficult to contact the owners at this time.
Previously, the US government had estimated that the defect in Takata airbags had caused 27 deaths and more than 400 injuries. NHTSA specially warns that since many of the affected vehicles are over 20 years old, this will further increase the risk of airbag rupture during collisions.
Attachment: Ford and Masada recall vehicle list.
