An urgent "Do Not Drive" warning has been issued by Chrysler-parent Stellantis for 225,000 older vehicles in the United States, citing defective Takata airbag inflators that have been linked to a series of fatalities and injuries. This critical alert targets older Dodge Ram, Durango, Dakota, Magnum, Challenger, Chrysler Aspen and 300, Jeep Wrangler, and Mitsubishi Raider models from various years between 2003 and 2016 that have not undergone necessary recall repairs.
Deadly Consequences of Defective Inflators
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed that 28 deaths in the US have resulted from crashes involving these faulty Takata airbag inflators. The agency warns that even minor collisions can trigger the inflators to explode, propelling metal shrapnel inside vehicles and causing life-altering or fatal injuries to drivers and passengers. Since 2009, hundreds of injuries have been reported across various automakers' vehicles due to this defect.
Stellantis's Safety Push
Stellantis stated that this directive aims to accelerate repairs on the remaining affected vehicles to protect owners, their families, and the general public from serious harm. The company has already completed recall repairs on more than 6.6 million vehicles, representing approximately 95% of those recalled over a decade ago. "This stop-drive directive is focused on completing repairs on this remaining population," the automaker emphasized in a recent statement.
Global Recall Scale
Over the past decade, the Takata airbag inflator issue has led to the largest automotive recall in US history, with more than 67 million vehicles recalled domestically and over 100 million worldwide. The problem stems from propellant in the inflators that can degrade over time due to exposure to high-temperature fluctuations and humidity, increasing the risk of explosion.
Historical Context and Manufacturer Responses
In 2024, Honda confirmed 20 US deaths in its Honda and Acura vehicles attributable to these Takata airbag defects. This follows a pattern of automakers urging owners of older models to cease driving until inflators are replaced. For instance, in November 2022, Stellantis previously advised owners of 276,000 older US vehicles to stop driving immediately, highlighting the ongoing severity of the issue.
The persistent warnings underscore the critical need for vehicle owners to heed recall notices and seek prompt repairs to mitigate the grave risks posed by these defective airbag components.
