Recall 21V158 covers 2,602,668 2006-2012 Mercury Milan, Fusion, Mkz, Zephyr, Ranger, Edge, and Mkx vehicles for exploding driver-airbag inflators. Free repair at any franchised Mercury dealer.
Mercury is recalling 2,602,668 2006-2012 Milan, Fusion, Mkz, Zephyr, Ranger, Edge, and Mkx vehicles under recall 21V158 because the driver's side air bag inflator can explode after long-term heat and humidity exposure. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death, and the dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The driver airbag inflator is the metal canister inside the steering-wheel airbag. In a crash, it creates gas quickly so the driver frontal airbag fills before the driver moves into the wheel. These 2006-2012 Milan, Fusion, Mkz, Zephyr, Ranger, Edge, and Mkx vehicles use Takata PSDI-5 driver frontal inflators with calcium sulfate as a drying agent.
Inside the inflator, the propellant is supposed to stay stable over the life of the vehicle. After long-term exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling, that desiccated propellant can degrade. If the airbag deploys, the inflator can rupture instead of directing gas into the airbag as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver will not get a light, sound, smell, or change in airbag behavior that shows the inflator has degraded.
Who's affected?
Spans seven model lines across 2006-2012, all tied to the driver front air bag inflator.
| 2011 Mercury Milan | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ford Fusion | front air bag |
| 2012 Lincoln Mkz | front air bag |
| 2010 Lincoln Zephyr | front air bag |
| 2009 Lincoln Zephyr | front air bag |
| 2007 Lincoln Zephyr | front air bag |
| 2011 Ford Fusion | front air bag |
| 2010 Ford Fusion | front air bag |
| 2010 Mercury Milan | front air bag |
| 2011 Lincoln Mkz | front air bag |
| 2006 Lincoln Mkz | front air bag |
| 2012 Lincoln Zephyr | front air bag |
| 2011 Lincoln Zephyr | front air bag |
| 2008 Lincoln Zephyr | front air bag |
| 2006 Ford Fusion | front air bag |
| 2006 Mercury Milan | front air bag |
| 2006 Lincoln Zephyr | front air bag |
| 2007 Ford Fusion | front air bag |
| 2007 Mercury Milan | front air bag |
| 2007 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2007 Ford Edge | front air bag |
| 2007 Lincoln Mkx | front air bag |
| 2007 Lincoln Mkz | front air bag |
| 2008 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2008 Ford Fusion | front air bag |
| 2008 Lincoln Mkz | front air bag |
| 2008 Mercury Milan | front air bag |
| 2008 Ford Edge | front air bag |
| 2008 Lincoln Mkx | front air bag |
| 2009 Ford Fusion | front air bag |
| 2009 Lincoln Mkz | front air bag |
| 2009 Mercury Milan | front air bag |
| 2009 Lincoln Mkx | front air bag |
| 2009 Ford Edge | front air bag |
| 2009 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2010 Lincoln Mkz | front air bag |
| 2010 Lincoln Mkx | front air bag |
| 2010 Ford Edge | front air bag |
| 2010 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| 2011 Ford Ranger | front air bag |
| Units affected | 2,602,668 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The listed year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure. Treat this as a reason to schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercury dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2012 Mercury Milan, Fusion, Mkz, Zephyr, Ranger, Edge, or Mkx is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercury dealer to schedule the free driver-side airbag inflator or module replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 21V158 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair. The recalled inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments toward occupants.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercury technician replaces the driver-side airbag inflator or airbag module with an alternate part. The recall covers the replacement parts and labor. Ford is not offering reimbursement for repairs paid before this recall because the remedy was not available before the recall opened. If your vehicle still has an unrepaired airbag recall, schedule the free dealer repair and ask the service desk which airbag position is being replaced.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| March 10, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 11, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| March 11, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 1, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 9, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V158?
Recall 21V158 covers 2,602,668 2006-2012 Mercury Milan, Fusion, Mkz, Zephyr, Ranger, Edge, and Mkx vehicles with a driver-side air bag inflator that can explode after propellant degradation. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Dealers will replace the inflator or module for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2012 Mercury Milan, Fusion, Mkz, Zephyr, Ranger, Edge, or Mkx is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V158. If it is, contact a franchised dealer to schedule the driver-side air bag inflator or module replacement. Reference recall number 21V158 and Mercury recall number 21S12 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and the remedy for recall 21V158 is a free driver-side air bag inflator or module replacement. Parts and labor are covered at the dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is serious. The driver-side air bag inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, striking the driver or other occupants. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair and ask the service desk about any driving guidance before your appointment.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN, then contact a dealer with recall number 21V158 and Mercury recall number 21S12 if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V158000 |
|---|---|
| Mercury customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V158 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V158000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →