Some car owners in Minnesota should be aware of a product recall that might affect them. Deaths stemming from defective airbags have led to some older Dodge and Chrysler vehicles being recalled. This is what you need to know about the situation.
Warning issued about affected vehicles
Stellantis, Chrysler’s parent company, and Dodge have both issued warnings about older model vehicles after the Takata airbags exploded, killing more than 30 people. Around 276,000 Chrysler 300 sedans were involved. More recently, an additional three people died as a result of the defective products malfunctioning.
The “Do Not Drive” warning also extended to Dodge Magnum and Challenger vehicles made between 2005 and 2010. Driver’s side airbags were reported to be faulty, leading to a recall. The three most recent deaths happened over the past seven months. Defective airbags are known to explode, releasing metallic shrapnel throughout the vehicles.
Other vehicles affected by the recall include Hondas. Most of the previously known fatalities involved that automaker.
Takata recall continues
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the Takata airbag recall started in 2014 and has affected 19 automakers worldwide. To date, 32 deaths occurred around the world with 23 more taking place in the United States. It continues to investigate vehicles equipped with the faulty airbags but stresses that many still have yet to be repaired, putting lives at risk.
Individuals who own older vehicles with Takata airbags can minimize their risk by being proactive and contacting Stellantis’ airbag recall line. Another option is to visit the company’s dedicated website, but replacing the faulty airbags is considered urgent.
Stellantis stated that it made over 150 attempts to contact owners about the dangers of their Takata airbags. Sadly, some of those calls have been ignored.