The warning targets specific older models that remain on the road with unrepaired recalls. While Stellantis has already replaced more than 6.6 million inflators, a significant number of high-risk vehicles continue to operate with the faulty components. The NHTSA warns that these defective airbags can explode even during minor collisions, potentially spraying metal shrapnel at occupants.
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Stellantis Issues ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning for 225,000 U.S. Vehicles
Stellantis’s FCA US division has issued an urgent “do not drive” warning for approximately 225,000 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbag inflators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the advisory on Wednesday, emphasizing that owners should ground their vehicles immediately until free repairs are completed.
A Persistent Safety Crisis
The Takata recall stands as the largest automotive safety campaign in U.S. history, encompassing more than 67 million units across multiple brands. According to federal safety data, the defect has been linked to at least 28 deaths and 400 injuries in the United States alone. The risk is particularly severe in older vehicles where the chemical propellant has degraded due to prolonged exposure to heat and humidity.Federal officials urge owners to verify their vehicle status via the NHTSA recall portal using their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). To address the remaining unrepaired units, the manufacturer and regulators have outlined the following steps:
- Authorized dealerships will perform the replacement of the defective inflator at no cost to the owner.
- Many dealerships offer mobile repair services to complete the work at the owner's home or office.
- Owners can arrange for free towing to a service center if they are uncomfortable driving the vehicle to the dealership.
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