Own An Older Ford Ranger? Stop Driving It Now–Airbag Warning Expanded

You've probably heard, at least in passing, about the worldwide airbag recall over defective Takata Airbags. Now, Ford Motor Company has expanded it's Ford Ranger pickup recall.

Another 33,000 2006 Ranger models have been added to the "do not drive list, and motorists are advised to immediately find a way to get it to the dealership where it can be repaired, most likely by towing.

This follows a January recall issue sent out about 1,800 Mazda B-series trucks with the same issue. Overall the Takata airbag recall, which began in 2016, affects at least 125 million vehicles built by 19 different manufacturers. Defects in the airbags can cause them to explode violently, sending metal fragments into the driver's body. Overall, 22 deaths have been linked to the defective inflators, and 200 people worldwide have been injured.

Takata says by 2019 it will complete the recall, but the massive issue caused them to file for bankruptcy protection last June, according to Autobog.com.

 If you own a 2006 Ford Ranger, you can contact your dealer, or any other Ford dealer in the area and give them the VIN number. They will let you know if your vehicle is one of the affected models. Ford and Mazda will arrange to have the vehicle towed to the dealership for repair, if yours is affected.