The last thing you expect when you climb into your car is being hurt—or killed—by a device meant to save your life. For more than 276,000 Chrysler and Dodge owners with the airbags from the defunct company Takata, this could be a real risk.
Stellantis, previously Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has issued a “do not drive” after two people were killed in separate crashes in which the airbags deployed with killing force. An airbag may also have been at fault in an additional crash that killed a third person. All the vehicles covered by the new order were previously recalled due to air bag safety issues in 2015 and free repairs have been available to owners since then, but many vehicles have yet to be repaired, Stellantis said.
According to a National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statement, when vehicles are involved in a crash that causes the airbags to inflate, a faulty inflator can cause the Takata airbags to explode, sending metal fragments towards drivers or passengers with killing force. According to a report from CNBC, the chemical used to ignite the small explosion which inflates the airbags in a crash can become more volatile over time when exposed to moisture and high temperatures. The explosion then ruptures a metal canister that sends shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
Takata went bankrupt in 2017 due to lawsuits over injuries and deaths caused by their airbags. Reportedly, 32 people have died worldwide from the exploding airbags, and as many as 100 million faulty air bag inflators recalled.
Which cars are recalled
The NHTSA report follows up on the 2015 Takata recall, which affected 34 million vehicles across 12 brands. In the report, Stellantis issued the “do not drive” warning for the following models, provided their owners have yet to get them repaired:
Dodge Magnums 2005-2010
Charger 2005-2010
Challanger 2005-2010
Chrysler 300s 2005-2010
The alert arrives in the wake of two separate accidents involving 2010 Dodge Chargers in which the driver’s side airbags exploded after a collision, killing the drivers. The NHTSA is “aware of several other suspected inflator ruptures in vehicles from other automakers potentially due to exploding Takata air bags” according to the report.
If you aren’t sure if your vehicle is subject to the recall or not, enter its VIN into the NHTSA’s Safety Issues & Recalls site.
What to do if you drive one of these cars
The NHTSA warns drivers to not drive their affected cars, even to take them in to get the recall taken care of. It is also urging all vehicle owners to verify if their vehicle has a Takata air bag recall and to contact their respective dealership to schedule a free repair as soon as possible. Getting the recalled taken care of should be a priority, as even minor crashes can deploy the airbags, potentially leading to injury or death.
To speak to the manufacturer, you can reach Stellantis Takata Call Center directly at 833-585-0144, or go to their website.