DEADLY Ford and Mazda Defect Puts Louisiana Drivers at Risk

Ford and Mazda are urgently warning owners of nearly 500,000 vehicles in Louisiana and nationwide to avoid driving them due to a deadly defect.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 374,000 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles from 2004-2014 and 83,000 Mazda Models from 2033-2015 have dangerous Takata airbag inflators that were not replaced, "the inflators can explode with too much force in a crash, blowing apart a metal canister and shooting fragments that can severely injure or kill people. All were recalled previously, but repairs have not been completed."

Ford Models Affected:

2004 to 2011 Ranger pickups
2005 through
2014 Mustangs
2005 and 2006 Ford GTs
2006 through 2012 Fusions
2007 through 2010 Edge SUVs.

Mercury and Lincoln Models Affected:

Milan, MKZ and Zephyr from 2006 through 2012
MKX from 2007 through 2010.

Mazdas Affected:

2004 to 2009 B-Series pickup
2003 through 2013 Mazda 6
2006 and 2007 Speed6
2004 through 2011 RX-8
2004 through 2006 MPV
2007 through 2012 CX-7
2007 through 2015 CX-9.

Dozens of Fatalities Due To Airbag Defects

According to government reports, 27 people have been killed in the United States by defective Takata inflators. These inflators used a 'volatile ammonium nitrate' that was used to create a small explosion to inflate the airbags in the event of a car accident.

Takata’s inflators can explode with too much force when they fill up an air bag, spewing out shrapnel.

Unfortunately, the chemical deteriorates over time when 'exposed to high temperatures and humidity', resulting in more than 400 people being injured. Globally 35 people have been killed by Takata inflators.

According to the Associated Press, 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide; however, they may not have been replaced or repaired. This deadly airbag defect forced Takata to file for bankruptcy. The Japanese airbag company will use part of the money from the sale to reimburse automakers while still funding a large portion of the recall themselves.

Attorneys for those injured by the inflators worry that $125 million won’t be enough to fairly compensate victims, many of whom have serious facial injuries from metal shrapnel. One 26-year-old plaintiff will never be able to smile due to nerve damage.