Takata airbag recalls back
More than 1.7 million cars have been recalled globally over serious concerns their airbags could deploy and seriously injure or kill drivers and passengers.
Some of the world’s most popular brands have been forced to callback vehicles over concerns relating to systems manufactured by now-defunct Japanese company Takata.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, Ford and Mazda have issued urgent “do not drive” warnings for more than 457,000 units in North America.
The warning outlines that if a motorist has an affected vehicle they shouldn’t drive it until repairs are completed and the defective airbag replaced.
The Takata systems have come under intense scrutiny in recent months with the “do not drive” warnings covering all Fords, Lincolns, Mercurys and Mazdas equipped with “non-desiccated” airbags.
The callback in the US includes Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles from the 2004-14 model years, including Ranger pick-ups, Mustangs and GT sports cars, Fusion sedans and Edge SUVs, among others.
Recalled Mazdas are of the same general vintage, and include Mazda 6 sedans, CX-7 and CX-9 SUVs, and B-series pick-ups.
The NHTSA states: “Some of these vehicles are now more than 20 years old, which increases the risk of an airbag rupturing in a crash. If an explosion occurs, it can severely injure or kill occupants.”
To date, the NHTSA has confirmed 27 people have been killed in the US by defective Takata airbags that have exploded. They have also caused 400 injuries.
Owners have been advised to contact their dealership to schedule a free repair and follow any warnings from the vehicle manufacturer. This could include free towing, mobile repair and loan vehicles.
Ford and Mazda are just the latest to issue “do not drive” warnings on older cars with unrepaired Takata systems. Certain Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, Infiniti, Nissan, Pontiac and Toyota models have similar warnings.
Issues in China
BMW has moved to recall 1.36 million units in China after potential risks with Takata systems. They are for locally produced and imported cars.
A further recall notice has been issued in the US for 105,558 vehicles with a software update being issued to fix concerns related to a starter motor that can overheat.
This will impact owners of various models, including some in the X5, X7, 3 and 7 Series ranges. Owners will be able to update the software for free with notification letters expected to be sent out in September.
Vehicles that have had steering-wheel refits may have defective airbags from Japan’s Takata Corporation that could rupture.
The affected cars include models made from 2003-17. Nearly 600,000 domestically produced cars, produced by the joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive, and about 760,000 imports will be recalled.
For cars confirmed to have defects, the German marque will replace the front airbag free of charge.
Millions of cars fitted with Takata airbags have been recalled since 2014 and the company went bankrupt three years later.
