Stellantis Issues ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning Over Unrepaired Takata Airbags

The Takata airbag crisis remains one of the biggest safety failures in automotive history. It started with a Honda recall back in 2008 and has since snowballed into more than 67 million recalled airbags across multiple brands.

Stellantis is now raising the alarm once more. According to the automaker, Takata airbag inflators in roughly 225,000 of its cars are still unrepaired. Affected owners have received a clear warning from Stellantis due to the risk involved: avoid driving your vehicle until the airbag has been replaced.

The warning applies to certain older models that still have open Takata airbag recalls, including:

• 2003–2010 Dodge Ram

• 2004–2009 Dodge Durango

• 2005–2011 Dodge Dakota

• 2005–2008 Dodge Magnum

• 2006–2015 Dodge Charger

• 2007–2009 Chrysler Aspen

• 2008–2014 Dodge Challenger

• 2005–2015 Chrysler 300

• 2007–2016 Jeep Wrangler

• 2006–2009 Mitsubishi Raider

Although 6.6 million of Stellantis' vehicles have had their inflators replaced, there is still a significant risk associated with the remaining vehicles. By entering their VIN on the NHTSA website, getting in touch with a nearby dealership, or calling Stellantis customer service at 833-585-0144, owners can find out if there is an active recall on their vehicle.

The airbag inflator is the root of the issue. Certain Takata inflators can explode when the airbag deploys as a result of prolonged exposure to heat and humidity, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). When that occurs, pieces of metal may fly quickly into the cabin.

This isn’t a minor defect. In the U.S. alone, 28 people have died, and more than 400 have been injured because of defective Takata airbags. Older vehicles face a higher risk because their inflators have been exposed to heat and moisture for a longer period of time. Drivers in hotter, humid states like Florida, Mississippi, and Texas are especially vulnerable. That said, the risk isn’t limited to warm climates - it exists anywhere these airbags remain installed.

Automakers don’t issue “do not drive” notices lightly. They reserve them for situations where the risk of serious injury or death is high. Honda issued a similar warning in 2023 for some of its models, noting that certain Takata inflators could fail at rates approaching 50 percent.

This is not something to ignore. If your vehicle is on the list and still has an open recall, the safest move is to stop driving it and get the airbag replaced as soon as possible.