Ford Issues 'Stop Driving' Warning for Select 2006 Rangers

In a new high-priority Ford safety recall, the automaker is advising customers of certain 2006 Ford Rangers to stop driving their compact pickup and contact their dealer immediately for a free repair. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also issued a statement about the recall. Both Ford and NHTSA are reporting that the automaker will tow affected vehicles to a dealer for repair and provide a loaner.

According to Ford, more than 2,700 2006 Ford Rangers equipped with Takata airbag inflators have a higher risk of rupturing in the event of a crash than other Rangers under the same recall. The Rangers that should not be driven were built at the Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Minnesota between Aug. 10 and Dec. 15, 2005.

Ford issued this action following accidents that resulted in two separate fatalities, each involving a Ranger produced within those build dates. The is already part of the larger Takata airbag inflator recall, but as a result of these fatalities, Ford is advising owners of the 2,700 affected 2006 Rangers to stop driving them immediately and call a local dealership.

To find out if your Ranger is affected, check your vehicle identification number on the VIN checker at Ford's recall site. The Ford reference number for this recall is 18S02.

For a full list of all vehicles included in the Takata airbag inflator recall, click here.

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