Stellantis has issued an immediate recall of certain vehicles in its lineup, including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.
Defective air bag inflators made by Takata have been the subject of the largest and most complex recall in recent memory. If you own one of the 225,000 affected older vehicles with an unrepaired air bag, this is not a “wait-and-see” situation. It’s critical for safety.
Why the recall
The problem is with the airbag inflator. It’s the metal canister that contains the propellant that deploys the air bag. Over time, and especially after long exposure to heat and humidity, the propellant can degrade, and the inflator can rupture when the bag deploys.
When that happens, the inflator can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin. It has caused fatal and horrific injuries in the past. The safety agency warns that even minor crashes can trigger a dangerous inflator rupture.
Why is this popping up again?
A lot of vehicles were fixed years ago, but not all. The recall program was phased because replacement parts couldn’t be produced and installed for tens of millions of affected cars all at once. The regulator set “priority groups” so the highest-risk vehicles (age, inflator type, and time spent in hot/humid areas) were repaired first.
Over the years, many owners had repairs done, others sold or exported their cars, and some simply never responded to notices. That left a remaining pool of vehicles that are now considered high enough risk that the automaker and the agency are calling for immediate action. In some cases, a formal “do not drive” advisory has been issued until the fix is completed. In short, many of the defective airbags were fixed, but enough remain unrepaired that the recall has been reopened.
When people say the recall was “reordered” or reprioritized, they mean the regulator and manufacturers adjusted which VINs get top scheduling based on updated risk data and repair progress. That’s why you’ll see lists and priority group changes. The program shifts focus to the unrepaired vehicles that pose the highest current risk. This allows available replacement parts and dealer capacity to direct efforts where they matter most. This is not a new defect being discovered. It’s an administrative/technical move to finish the job safely and faster.
Affected vehicles
The public notice covers roughly 225,000 unrepaired vehicles across certain model years and names (older Ram pickups, Durango, Dakota, Magnum, Charger, Challenger, Chrysler 300, Aspen, Jeep Wrangler, and certain Mitsubishi models).
If you want the exact model years and VIN scope for your vehicle, use the official VIN lookup. The list varies by inflator type and recall number.
Practical steps
Check your VIN at the regulator’s recall lookup. Use your 17-character VIN from the windshield. If the lookup says your vehicle has an open Takata recall, don’t drive it if the notice or dealer says, “Do not drive.”
Call the manufacturer’s recall hotline (833-585-0144) to schedule the free repair. The automaker will replace the inflator at no cost.
If you’re away from home (on the road with an RV), ask the dealer about alternate transportation or towing options. Dealers will often help arrange a tow, so the vehicle can get to the repair safely.
If the recalled vehicle is a tow vehicle for your RV, make alternate plans for towing. Put a note on your RV paperwork so you remember to follow up later if scheduling is delayed.
Official contact and repair information
Use the regulator’s VIN lookup to confirm. If your vehicle is included in this recent advisory, call 833-585-0144 to speak with a customer care agent. They can connect you with a local dealer for the free recall repair. If you prefer, contact your local authorized dealer directly and mention the Takata inflator recall. Dealers will perform the remedy at no charge.
What to tell your dealer or tow company
Give them your VIN and tell them the vehicle is under the Takata inflator recall. Explain that the vehicle has a “do not drive” advisory (if that’s what the lookup or notice says). Ask whether the dealer will supply a tow or loaner, or whether they have a courtesy vehicle while they replace the inflator. If you’re in a remote area, plan for towing to the nearest authorized dealer. Don’t attempt to drive a vehicle that’s been flagged as unsafe to drive.
Recall history
The entire Takata recall program has stretched over many years because of the scale of the problem and part availability. Regulators and manufacturers set deadlines and priority groups to protect the worst at-risk vehicles first. The recent “Do not drive” action is a push to finish what began years ago. They intend to bring those last unrepaired cars in for the free fix and close the book on this hazard. If you ever had the work done, check your service records. If not, treat the advisory as urgent.
Final note for RVers
If that truck, SUV, or car is part of your towing setup, don’t put your family or your rig’s safety at risk. Treat the recall like a mandatory maintenance item. Verify your VIN, call the number above, and get the free repair scheduled.
Click here for all RV and RV-related recalls.
RVT1248b
Gail, too bad you only report the hype. The Total Reported Harm Rate is only: ~0.00064%. That’s less than 400 injuries from over 70 MILLION airbags recalled and over 20 years of data. You are more likely to get hit by a train while sleeping in your bed, than being hurt by an airbag. Stupidly over-reported fear mongering.
Just reported information from Stellantis, Johnny. Safe travels!
And thank you for sharing the report Gail !
Thanks! Glad you did. I’m just encouraging you to dig a little deeper and think a little deeper…
Not to mention the fact, Johnny, that that’s 400 more injuries than there should have been. And, undoubtedly, if there are still 225,000 unrepaired vehicles, there will probably be more injuries. I think it was important for Gail to update this report for those people who are driving with potentially dangerous airbags. Updating the news as currently reported by Stellantis is NOT “Stupidly over-reported fear mongering.” –Diane at RVtravel.com
So, since you think that so many people are in danger here, I’ll make you a bet (so you can put your money where your mouth is): I’ll bet you $1 million dollars that you or any of your acquaintances never get hurt by a Takata airbag in the next 10 years. Since you are so statistically simple-minded, you should DEFINITELY take this bet. Yikes woman, go get a job you are actually qualified for.
What a pleasant way to start my day, Johnny. Thanks.🙄 If I had a million bucks to bet, I wouldn’t be working at 79. I just think you came down on Gail awfully hard for reporting current news. And I think injuries can happen to anyone, anytime- especially if they’re in a vehicle with a recalled piece of equipment. So, posting a reminder to get their vehicle checked is not fear-mongering. But if you get your kicks from putting down old grandmas, have at it. I can take it.👍🤣 Have a good day. 🙂 –Diane
Diane, it goes with the times. Not reporting, not statistics, but rudeness. Why some cannot comment civilly is what has put society in the place it now exits. Johnny missed the class on “don’t shoot the messenger”. Gail’s reporting is relevant and important. As for my situation, it’s been over five years since I put in my Ford VIN to see if I had the Takata airbags. I did not. BUT, I found there was a recall/service bulletin on my oxygen sensors after spending $600 to have them replaced. With that information I was able to recoup that money from Ford. Thanks Gail for all your articles.
Thank you, Impavid. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Johnny, the NHTSA is the one “hyping” the recall, not Gail or Diane.
That agency believes the failure rate and the resultant potential for death high enough to invoke a recall, not Gail or Diane.
If you think this is a case of “statistical stupidity”, feel free to contact the folks at the NHTSA and share your opinion. It won’t make you look any less ridiculous but at least it points you in the right direction:
NHTSA Contact Information
NHTSA Headquarters1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.
West Building
Washington, DC 20590
Call or Email NHTSA
Thank you, Vince.👍 Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane
You might need to rent another tow vehicle while your truck is enjoying “fresh air and sunshine” in line for service. It could be worse, it could be your RV in line for service.
Why aren’t air bags a maintenance item anymore? In 1983 I purchased Mercedes Benz and in the glove box was a decal stating the expiration date of the SRS which instructed it to be replaced, that was every 10- years.