Stop Driving These Dodge and Chrysler Vehicles With Dangerous Takata Airbags
The warning comes after two deaths. Over 275,000 vehicles are in need of a free fix, which takes about an hour and could save your life.
By Keith Barry
If you own a 2005-2010 Chrysler 300 sedan, Dodge Charger sedan, or Dodge Magnum station wagon that still has a dangerous Takata driver-side airbag, you should not drive your car until you have the airbag replaced as part of a free and fast recall repair.
The warning comes directly from Stellantis, the parent company of both Chrysler and Dodge, that today is drawing attention to a significant number of owners who should take advantage of an important, existing recall.
It is rare for an automaker to issue what’s called a “stop driving” recall, and it highlights the danger of not getting the problem fixed. A representative from the automaker told CR that it is aware of two confirmed airbag ruptures in which vehicle occupants were killed and a third crash that remains under investigation, all of which happened in the last seven months.
These defective airbags were made by Takata, a now-defunct automotive supplier, and used by 19 automakers in the U.S. Due to a design error, the airbags may explode and spray metal fragments at the driver and passengers in a crash. To date, there have been 19 deaths and more than 400 injuries because of this problem in the U.S. across all automakers who used Takata airbags. Worldwide, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there have been at least 27 deaths.
“The longer these particular vehicles remain unrepaired, the greater the risk of an airbag rupture, in event of a crash,” a Stellantis spokesperson told CR in a written statement.
A massive recall of Takata airbags started in 2014, and now includes over 42 million vehicles—including the 300, Charger, and Magnum.
Stellantis says that about 276,000 vehicle owners still haven’t had the free recall repair performed, even though the repair has been available since 2015 and takes only about an hour to complete.
Learn more about car recalls at CR’s guide to recalls.
The Details
Vehicles recalled: Approximately 276,000 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Magnum vehicles that haven’t already had their Takata driver-side airbag replaced.
The problem: Due to a design defect, the airbag inflator could rupture, spewing metal fragments at the vehicle’s occupants. This could cause injuries or death.
The fix: Chrysler and Dodge dealerships will replace the airbags, free of charge. The repair takes about an hour, and Stellantis says the parts for replacement are currently in stock.
How to contact the manufacturer: Owners can contact Chrysler or Dodge at 800-853-1403 if they have any questions.
NHTSA campaign number: 15V313
Check to see whether your vehicle has an open recall: NHTSA’s website will tell you whether your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.
If you plug your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into NHTSA’s website and a recall doesn’t appear, it means your vehicle doesn’t currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls often, and for many older vehicles, we recommend checking back regularly to see whether your vehicle has had a recall issued.
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