Ford has identified approximately 3,000 2006 model year Ford Ranger trucks with potentially faulty Takata airbag inflators.
The American automaker is taking the matter very seriously and is advising owners of the specific 2006 Ford Rangers to stop driving their vehicles immediately so that dealers can make the repairs. The parts are available now and Ford dealers are even prepared to pick up vehicles directly from customers, make permanent repairs, and provide a free interim loaner vehicle, if necessary.
Ford is taking action because two fatalities have been linked to the driver airbag inflator ruptures from Takata inflators built on the same day. The American automaker was notified of a crash that happened on July 1, 2017, that involved a 2006 Ford Ranger built in North America with a ruptured non-desiccated Takata driver-side airbag. Ford was made aware of the crash on December 22, and five days later, it inspected the vehicle and confirmed the inflator ruptured resulting in a driver fatality.
SEE ALSO: Takata Airbag Recall Adds Another 3.3M Vehicles
The prior fatality linked to the recall was first reported in January 2016.
Affected vehicles include certain 2006 Ford Rangers built at the company’s Twin Cities Assembly Plant from August 10, 2005, to December 15, 2005. Of the affected vehicles, approximately 2,902 of them are in North America, with 2,712 in the U.S. and federalized territories, while 190 are in Canada.
Find out if you’re affected by visiting the NHTSA website.
