Automaker Issues 'Do Not Drive' Warning for Over 225,000 Vehicles Due to Exploding Airbags

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An automobile manufacturer that makes cars under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram names issued a 'do not drive' warning for over 225,000 vehicles on Wednesday. The vehicles have Takata airbags that can explode with too much force when deployed, potentially killing or seriously injuring drivers and passengers. The Takata airbag recall was the largest in history, affecting 67 million inflators in tens of millions of vehicles from 19 different manufacturers.

Why it matters

The Takata airbag issue has already resulted in at least 28 deaths and 400 injuries worldwide. This latest 'do not drive' warning highlights the ongoing safety risks posed by these defective airbags, even in older vehicles, and the challenges automakers face in getting all affected vehicles repaired.

The details

According to the recall, the affected vehicles include various Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram models from the 2003 to 2016 model years. The problem stems from the Takata airbags' use of ammonium nitrate, which can deteriorate over time and cause the airbag inflator to explode with too much force. This can send shrapnel into the vehicle, causing serious injuries or deaths even in minor crashes.

• The Takata airbag recall dates back to 2008.
• Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2017.

What’s next

Vehicle owners can check if their car is affected by the recall using the NHTSA's recalls lookup tool or the SaferCar app. If the vehicle is part of the recall, owners should take it to their local dealership to schedule the free recall repair.