FCA Expands Takata Airbag Recall With 4.3 Million Vehicles
More than four million cars equipped with defective Takata airbag inflators have been subjected to a voluntary recall by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).
These are the latest addition to the recall campaign following a defect filling by Takata, which advised the NHTSA that the front-passenger airbag inflators use ammonium nitrate as a propellant and are not benefiting of a chemical dying agent.
In case of an accident, the inflators can send fragments through the cabin, due to prolonged exposure to high humidity and temperatures, increasing the risk of injury and even death. Thirteen people have lost their lives due to this issue and more than 100 have been injured worldwide, but FCA is unaware of any injuries or accidents involving their vehicles.
Out of the estimated 4.3 million vehicles recalled, there are approximately 1 million units that would have been called back in at a later date, under NHTSA's coordinated remedy order. Moreover, an additional 933,000 vehicles are affected in Canada, Mexico and outside the NAFTA region. Owners will be advised when they may schedule service, but models currently or previously registered in high absolute humidity states will be targeted first.
The list include:
2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen SUVs
2005-2012 Chrysler 300 sedans
2008-2012 Dodge Challenger coupes
2006-2012 Dodge Charger sedans
2005-2011 Dodge Dakota pickups
2004-2009 Dodge Durango SUVs
2005-2008 Dodge Magnum station wagons
2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 pickups
2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500 pickups
2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500 pickups
2007-2010 Dodge Ram/Ram 3500 cab chassis
2008-2010 Dodge Ram/Ram 4500/5500 cab chassis
2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler SUVs
2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider pickups
2008-2009 Sterling/Bullet 4500/5500 cab chassis
The areas comprise:
Alabama
California
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Louisiana
Mississippi
South Carolina
Texas
Puerto Rico
American Somoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan)
U.S. Virgin Islands
Note: 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 pictured