Takata Airbag Updates and Recall Guide

There's a new warning to share in regards to the ongoing Takata Air Bag Recall. Wednesday, May 29th, Nissan issued a Do Not Drive warning for certain older model Nissan and INFINITI models. Specifically the:

• 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
• 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
• 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4

Read the full notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website here.

NHTSA reports that to date,  it has confirmed 27 people in the U.S. have been killed by a defective Takata air bag that exploded. In addition, at least 400 people in the United States allegedly have been injured by exploding Takata air bag inflators. Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries. Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors.

For Takata information for specific vehicle manufacturers, please click here. For more information from NHTSA on the Takata air bag safety recall, please click here.

NHTSA Warning 

NHTSA warns consumers to be aware of two critically important details about the original Takata recall:

1. The Danger of "Alpha" Air Bags: Certain 2001-2003 Honda and Acura vehicles, 2006 Ford Ranger, and Mazda B-Series trucks are at a far higher risk for an air bag explosion that could injure or kill vehicle occupants. These are referred to as "Alpha" air bags. These vehicles can and should be repaired immediately. Do not drive these vehicles with Takata air bags unless you are going straight to a dealer to have them repaired immediately.

2. Additional Vehicles Will Be Recalled: Additional air bags were scheduled to be recalled by December 2019, bringing the total number of affected air bags to around 65-70 million. These vehicles may not currently appear affected by this recall using a VIN search. Sign up for Recall Alerts and make sure the address on your registration is current to be sure you're notified of this or any other future recall.

Timeline

May 29, 2024:  Nissan issues Do Not Drive Warning for 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra, 2022-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 2002-2003 INFINITI QX4.  

July 11, 2023 Consumer Alert: FCA Issues Do Not Drive for Recalled 2003 Dodge Ram 1500s, NHTSA confirms first passenger-side Takata air bag death

May 4, 2023  Consumer Alert: BMW Upgrades Takata Recall to “Do Not Drive” Warning, Targeting Older, Most Dangerous Air Bags

February 3, 2023 Consumer Alert: Honda Upgrades Takata Alpha Recall to “Do Not Drive” Warning, Targeting Older, Most Dangerous Air Bags

December 19, 2022  Consumer Alert: NHTSA Confirms Additional Chrysler Takata Fatality

December 9, 2022  Consumer Alert: NHTSA Announces Another Takata Fatality; This Time Honda

November 17, 2022: Consumer Alert: NHTSA Issues Urgent Warning on Takata Air Bags After Another Fatality

November 3, 2022: Consumer Alert: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Issues “Do Not Drive” Warning; Automaker Reports More Fatalities and Injuries

January 7, 2021 : State Of Takata Air Bag Recalls Fourth Report

December 4, 2019:  According the Associated Press, a new deadly airbag defect has been discovered in another version of Takata airbags. It is leading to the recall of 1.4 million additional vehicles from BMW, Audi, Honda and Mitsubishi.

December 21, 2018:   Takata update to update consumers.

July 18, 2018: A government audit into the NHTSA's handling of the Takata recall attributes 15 deaths and more than 220 injuries in the U.S. to the faulty airbags that can explode due to the breakdown of a chemical propellant. The report also faults the NHTSA for a lack of oversight into its recall processes.

July 13, 2018: NHTSA urged automakers to speed up their completion rates and post their repair updates on their websites.

June 7, 2018: The NHTSA urged South Florida drivers to check their vehicle VIN numbers to see if their vehicle is under recall. The region is a high-risk area due to heat and humidity. Those are two factors that can cause the airbags chemical propellant to break down and cause an explosion when the inflator is deployed.

May 7, 2018: NHTSA issued a second public plea for owners to stop driving at-risk 2006 Ford Rangers and Mazda B-Series Trucks.

What Drivers Should Do

NHSTA urges all drivers to stay informed and safe by taking the following five actions:

• 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC
• 2010-2014 Volkswagen Eos
• 2010-2014 Volkswagen Golf
• 2013 Volkswagen Golf R
• 2009-2013 Volkswagen GTI
• 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat
• 2006-2010 Volkswagen Passat Sedan
• 2006-2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon