DEARBORN, Mich. and WASHINGTON, D.C. -

Here’s an important update for dealerships that might have 2006 Ford or Mazda compact trucks in their inventory or customers who are still driving these older models.

According to announcements from the Blue Oval and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford and Mazda said that they are expanding their “do not drive warning” to include additional 2006 Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series trucks with defective Takata air bags based on new testing. 

NHTSA officials indicated these units have defective Takata air bags that are an immediate risk to safety.  

“Affected owners are urged not to drive these vehicles and to contact Ford and Mazda immediately to schedule a free repair,” NHTSA said.

“Ford and Mazda have replacement air bags available now and will tow vehicles to a local dealership for repair, and provide loaner vehicles — all free of charge,” the agency added.

Ford elaborated about the situation that involves 33,428 vehicles, which were previously under a separate Takata airbag inflator recall.

The OEM explained the units have been transferred due to an elevated risk to safety posed by airbag inflators that may have a higher risk of rupturing in the event of a crash than other recalled Takata inflators. Ford is advising these owners of certain Ford Rangers to stop driving their vehicles so dealers can make repairs immediately.

Parts are available now and dealers are prepared to get vehicles directly from customers, make permanent repairs that will resolve the safety risk and provide a free interim loaner vehicle, if necessary.

Ford said previously took this action on a population of approximately 3,000 Ford Ranger vehicles from the 2006 model year because there were two fatalities caused by driver airbag inflator ruptures from Takata inflators built on the same day.

After Ford took this action, the company continued its investigation and testing. Further inflator and propellant test data showed higher propellant pressures and ruptures inside certain inflators in vehicles built during the period included in this expanded recall.

Ford said is not aware of any injuries or fatalities involved in these additional vehicles.

Affected vehicles include certain 2006 Ford Rangers built at Twin Cities Assembly Plant from Aug. 10, 2005 to Dec. 15, 2005 and from Aug. 5, 2005 to Nov. 4, 2005.

This expanded recall involves approximately 33,428 additional 2006 Ford Rangers in North America with 30,603 located in the United States and federalized territories and 2,825 in Canada. The total number of vehicles included in this recall now is 36,330.

The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S02.