The CarPro Show joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in urging ALL vehicle owners to check to see if their vehicle has an open TAKATA air bag recall. This week, the NHTSA confirmed a fifth Takata airbag related death this year -- the third of which occurred in an older-model year Fiat Chrysler vehicle. This brings the total number of deaths in the U.S. attributed to the defective airbags to 24.
Consumer Alert
In its Consumer Alert, NHTSA reports that one person died in a recent crash in a 2010 Chrysler 300 where the Takata driver’s side air bag inflator ruptured. Earlier this year two other deaths were reported in 2010 Dodge Charger crashes when their air bags exploded. Those deaths prompted FCA to issues a “Do Not Drive” warning for roughly 276,000 model year 2005-2010 Dodge Magnums, Chargers and Challengers, as well as Model Year 2005-2010 Chrysler 300s.
FCA also issued a new statement as well this week regarding the latest death, citing an Urgent Need of Service, saying in part:
We strongly reiterate our previous warning, having confirmed a third Takata-related fatality involving this population of vehicles. They are equipped with Takata air-bag inflators whose chemical properties may deteriorate over time, particularly if exposed to hot, humid climates.
Such conditions may cause the inflators to rupture on deployment, scattering razor-sharp debris capable of causing serious injury or death.“Time is a critical element here because the risk increases with each day these air-bag inflators go unreplaced,” said Tom McCarthy, global head of Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance at Stellantis. “We have the parts, and the service is free. We will provide alternative transportation, also free, to help people get to and from our dealerships, as needed.”
- Stellantis/ FCA US, LLC
Latest Confirmed Fatality
FCA US says on December 16th, it formally advised NHTSA of the additional fatality in the stop-drive population, which comprises approximately 274,000 vehicles. In the most recent case, FCA say the vehicle’s owner asked about the Takata recall in 2018, but then declined to schedule the free repair. FCA US says it continued to send urgent notifications to this owner through 2022, contributing to a total of 114 outreach attempts over a seven-year period. Then in July of 2022, the owner loaned the vehicle out to a family member who was subsequently killed in a crash when the driver-side air bag ruptured on deployment.
FCA US says it extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those affected by the three confirmed Takata-related fatalities. The automaker says it made a total of 269 outreach attempts were made to owners of these vehicles.
“We understand the holiday season is a busy time,” McCarthy added. “But nothing is more precious than family and friends who may also be exposed to danger by further delaying service which, again, is free.”
NHTSA Urges Action
In wake of the latest Takata air bag deaths, NHTSA is urging ALL vehicle owners to immediately check to see if their vehicle has an open Takata air bag recall. If so, owners need to contact their dealership to schedule a FREE repair as soon as possible and follow any warnings from the vehicle manufacturer.
“This holiday season, don’t let yourself or someone you love be at risk of dying or being seriously injured because of a defective, recalled Takata air bag. These repairs are absolutely free and could save your life,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson. “Air bag ruptures have also cost people their eyesight and left them with disfiguring facial injuries. The older a defective air bag inflator gets, the more dangerous it becomes. So please, get your air bag replaced now for your sake, and for the sake of those who love you.”
The agency says even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries. Air bag age is a factor so older model year vehicles put their occupants at greater risk.
What To Do
Vehicle owners who prefer talking to the manufacturer directly can call the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Takata Call Center at 833-585-0144 or go to their website.
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.