Millions of vehicles across several brands are being issued a Do Not Drive warning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after a recall involving Takata air bag inflators. The alert covers certain Acura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Mazda, Nissan, Pontiac, and Toyota models, including 2007–2016 Jeep Wranglers, 2005–2015 Dodge Chargers, and 2007–2015 Mazda CX-9s, among others.
NHTSA says testing on the defective Takata air bag inflators in these vehicles shows a significantly higher risk of ruptures during deployment compared with other recalled Takata inflators. A rupture can spray shrapnel, posing serious injury or death risks to occupants.
Owners can verify whether their vehicle is affected by using NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool. Those with impacted vehicles are advised to promptly arrange free repairs at their local dealership.
NHTSA officials emphasized that the Do Not Drive warning is a precautionary measure until repairs can be completed, noting that the goal is to minimize exposure to potentially dangerous inflators. As part of the recall, replacements or safe alternatives are provided at no cost to vehicle owners.
Investigations and repair programs for Takata inflators have spanned several years, involving dozens of manufacturers and recalls. Drivers are urged to check their vehicle identification number (VIN) and recall status regularly, as additional phases of repair campaigns can be announced.
For more information or to check recalls, visit www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. If you own a vehicle potentially affected by this issue, contact your dealership or the manufacturer’s customer service line for guidance on scheduling a free repair.