Previous recalls for these vehicles were initiated, but many owners have yet to complete the necessary repairs.

Ford and Mazda have issued a warning to over 475,000 U.S. vehicle owners, advising them not to drive their cars due to dangerous Takata airbag inflators.

The warning specifically affects more than 374,000 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles from model years 2004 to 2014, along with nearly 83,000 Mazdas manufactured between 2003 and 2015.

Ford's advisory includes a range of vehicles, from Ranger trucks to the GT supercar, and is part of ongoing efforts to address the risks posed by these faulty airbags.

To assist affected customers, Ford and Mazda are offering free towing, mobile repairs, and loaner vehicles for those with unrepaired Takata inflators.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that these inflators can explode during a crash, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.

At least 27 fatalities and over 400 injuries in the U.S. have been linked to faulty Takata airbags, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

The Takata airbag scandal has resulted in the largest automotive recalls in U.S. history, with over 100 million vehicles recalled globally since it began.

The issue originated in 2000 when Takata discovered that some airbags might not deploy properly due to a lack of a chemical drying agent.

NHTSA estimates that up to 51 million defective airbags have been installed in cars across the U.S., underscoring the widespread nature of the problem.

Despite significant outreach efforts, Ford has reported that a small percentage of affected vehicles still have not had their airbag inflators replaced.