Frequently asked questions regarding Takata airbag inflator recalls

Takata determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety may arise in some non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflators due to propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling. Testing and analyses conducted by Takata and by independent entities have found that there are wide differences in the time periods in which propellant degradation takes place. The propellant degradation varies in different climate zones, in different vehicle makes and models, and in different inflator and propellant configurations. If the propellant in the airbag inflator has degraded, a rupture in the inflator may occur if the airbag is deployed due to a crash. A ruptured inflator can send inflator parts toward vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. 

It is important to note that for vehicles that are part of the Takata recalls, the issue is the airbag inflator and not the actual airbag. The supplier for the airbag and airbag inflator can be different for the same vehicle; it’s also possible to have different suppliers for the driver– and passenger–side airbag inflators in your vehicle.

Note: Geographic location as well as year and model determine if a vehicle is currently affected. Use links below to find out if a specific vehicle is affected.

Vehicles recalled for passenger-side inflators

2006 Lincoln Zephyr
2007-2012 Lincoln MKZ
2007-2010 Lincoln MKX

2006-2011 Mercury Milan

Click here on safety recalls to visit our simple online tool to determine if your Lincoln or Mercury vehicle is included in any recall. Simply enter your vehicle’s 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see any open safety, compliance or emissions recalls, including those that relate to Takata, as well as customer satisfaction programs. You can find your VIN on a metal plate located on the lower portion of the instrument panel, just inside the windshield on the driver side. It is most easily viewed from outside the vehicle. Please refer to your owner’s guide for the specific location in your vehicle.

Based on currently available technical data, Lincoln Motor Company understands that the vehicles involved in the recent Takata recall are safe to drive while you are waiting for replacement parts. You should have the repair completed as soon as possible after you are notified that parts are available.

Both The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Takata have indicated that the highest risk vehicles include older models in areas with the most exposure to a combination of both high humidity and high temperature cycling. There are a number of different recalls related to Takata airbag inflators; in every case Lincoln Motor Company is working closely with NHTSA to prioritize vehicle repairs and is working closely with NHTSA to ensure our customers are informed on the status of repair availability of their vehicles.

No. NHTSA estimates that frontal airbags saved 2,400 lives in 2014 alone. According to NHTSA, it is far more likely that, if you are involved in a crash, your airbag will perform properly and protect you than it will rupture and cause harm. An airbag that is purposely disabled will fail to provide any protection in a crash.

No.

If your vehicle is affected, you will receive a letter from Lincoln notifying you of the recall. When parts become available, we will notify you by mail that you should schedule an appointment with your dealer to have your vehicle serviced for the recall. If your vehicle experiences an issue in the meantime, you should contact your local dealership.

Not at this time.

The unprecedented volume and scope of the industry-wide Takata airbag inflator recalls have created unique replacement part challenges for all vehicle manufacturers and global parts suppliers. At NHTSA’s request, Lincoln Motor Company issued safety recalls for vehicles with certain Takata inflators even though replacement inflators with a different propellant would not be available for months or even years while new inflators are being redesigned and manufactured. 

Lincoln Motor Company is currently engaged in the complex and lengthy process of developing replacement non-ammonium nitrate-based airbag inflators from alternative suppliers. Airbag inflators are highly engineered and unique to each model and model year. In addition to the lengthy design and revalidation process, the scarcity of global production capacity from inflator suppliers is also contributing to the delay in global replacement part availability.

The repair procedure could vary depending on the vehicle. When you receive a letter alerting you that parts are available, it will describe the repair and provide a guideline of how long it will take. When you receive the letter, please contact your dealer to schedule a service appointment. At that time, your dealer will be able to tell you approximately how long the repair will take.

Safety is our top priority. Lincoln Motor Company is providing loaner vehicles in circumstances where replacement inflators are not available for certain vehicles that fall under the Takata recalls. Owners should contact the Lincoln Customer Relationship Center in the U.S. at 866.436.7332 and in Canada at 800.565.3673.

Lincoln Motor Company products currently in development will not be equipped with Takata airbag inflators that use ammonium nitrate.

You can contact our Customer Relationship Center in the U.S. at 1-866-436-7332 and in Canada at 1-800-565-3673.

For additional information, please visit NHTSA’s website dedicated to the Takata airbag inflator recall issue.

Lincoln advised some customers who own certain vehicles with Takata passenger inflators of ways to mitigate the safety risk, and not sitting in the passenger seat is one way to do so.