by Large-Scale Warning for Car Owners
Urgent “do not drive” warnings have been issued in the United States for hundreds of thousands of vehicles from the Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, and Mitsubishi brands. The reason is the presence of unrepaired Takata airbag inflators. These vehicles, despite numerous notifications sent over many years, have still not been repaired under the recall program.
The History of the Largest Recall in the Automotive Industry
The recall of Takata airbag inflators began back in 2013 and turned into the largest safety campaign in the history of the auto industry. Since then, according to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), over 6.6 million defective inflators have been replaced in their vehicles. However, about 225,000 units in the US remain unrepaired. Owners of these vehicles are ordered to immediately contact their local dealership to arrange for free repairs. The message is clear: do not drive the car until it is repaired.
BMW Sounds Alarm On Takata Airbags That Could Explode Without Warning
Which Models Are Under the Warning?
The warning concerns a wide range of FCA models, as well as one Mitsubishi model. Under the Dodge brand alone, five separate models are on the list. These include the Dodge Ram pickup trucks from 2003-2010, Dodge Durango 2004-2009, Dodge Dakota 2005-2011, Dodge Magnum 2005-2008, and Dodge Charger 2006-2015.
The warning also extends to a number of other vehicles, including the Chrysler Aspen 2007-2009, Dodge Challenger 2008-2014, and Chrysler 300 2005-2015. From Jeep, the Wrangler from 2007-2016 is under the warning. Mitsubishi is represented by only one model — the Raider 2006-2009, which is no surprise, as this model was essentially a rebadged Dodge Dakota, manufactured by Chrysler at two plants in the USA.
How to Check Your Vehicle?
If you are unsure whether your car is affected by this recall, the best step is to use the NHTSA recall check tool. Simply enter your vehicle’s license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check for active recalls. You can also download the SaferCar app, which will monitor your vehicle and send notifications about new recall information.
Tragedies and the Scale of the Problem
In the United States alone, over 67 million Takata airbags have been recalled. The danger they pose is well-documented. To date, 28 fatalities in the US have been confirmed due to these defective inflators. In each case, the airbag exploded during deployment, sending metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin. At least 400 additional injuries are also linked to these devices.
The ongoing Takata recall situation is a reminder of the critical importance of responding promptly to safety notices, even if the car seems fine. The fact that, decades after the campaign began, hundreds of thousands of cars remain on the road with lethal defects points to systemic problems in communication between manufacturers, regulators, and end owners. This story also highlights how deeply the components of a single supplier can impact an entire industry, creating long-term risks that require constant vigilance from both automakers and vehicle owners.
