Subaru recalls 370,000 vehicles with dangerous Takata airbags

Camden, NJ – February 27, 2019 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 373,514 vehicles in two recalls related to potentially deadly Takata airbags.

Both recalls are limited to cars sold or registered in certain states that experience high temperature and humidity. They include the following vehicles:

  • 2010 – 2013 Forester
  • 2010 – 2014 Tribeca
  • 2010- 2014 WRX
  • 2010 – 2014 Outback
  • 2010 -2014 Legacy
  • 2010 – 2011 Impreza

To see the complete list of states included in the recalls check out the National Highway Transpiration Safety Administration (NHTSA) official information here and here.

The defect

According to the NHTSA Safety Report filed on January 9th, all the recalled vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators with propellant wafers that contain non-desiccated ammonium nitrate. The injectors are part of full passenger frontal air bag modules which have been utilized over many years as original equipment and replacement equipment. Takata’s investigation to date has revealed that the propellant wafers can degrade over time, especially when exposed over long periods of time to high absolute humidity and drastic temperature cycling.

Risks

This degradation can lead to explosive combustion in the event of a crash that triggers deployment of the passenger frontal air bag. Excessive internal pressure when the non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant is activated can cause the inflator to rupture, causing metal fragments to pass through the air bag. As the sharp metal fragments exit the air bag module at high speed, they can enter the vehicle interior and strike the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants of the vehicle, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Safety tips

In the owner letters, Subaru has warned owners not to allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat until the defect has been remedied.

The solution

The recall began January 25, 2019. Subaru is notifying owners to take their vehicles to dealerships where dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. Any vehicle owners who have already paid to fix this condition prior to this campaign may seek reimbursement for their costs.

Is your vehicle part of these recalls?

Over 370,000 vehicles were originally included in these recalls. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date for which information was available –  315,724 airbags have been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 14, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have edited this article to make it more clear and make sure it corresponds to the latest editorial standards. We have also included the last section, which provides an important update on these recalls’ completion rates.

Sean ReyesSubaru recalls 370,000 vehicles with dangerous Takata airbags

Chrysler adds nearly 1.5 million more vehicles to Takata recall list

Auburn Hills, MI – February 25, 2019 – Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU) is recalling 1,413,222 vehicles whose front passenger airbag may explode while deploying, injuring or killing the passenger and other people in the vehicle with metal shrapnel.

The recall includes:

  • 2010 Ram 3500
  • 2010 Ram 4500
  • 2010 Ram 5500
  • 2010 – 2011 Dodge Dakota
  • 2010 – 2014 Dodge Challenger
  • 2010-2015 Dodge Charger
  • 2010 – 2015 Chrysler 300
  • 2010 – 2016 Jeep Wrangler 

The defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Safety Report regarding this matter, Takata’s non-desiccated front passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant were installed in certain 2010 MY Dodge Ram 3500 vehicles and have not been addressed by prior recalls. These systems may experience propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high levels of heat, absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

The triggering of a non-desiccated PSAN inflator with degraded propellant, in a vehicle crash where the air bag would naturally deploy, may result in an inflator rupture. That, in turn, might cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag and into the vehicle interior at high speed, potentially injuring or even killing vehicle occupants.

Timeline of events

According to the chronology submitted to the NHTSA, in June 2014, the department’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a case based on six inflator rupture incidents involving vehicles produced by five manufacturers. All six cars were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their product lifecycle, and were equipped with Takata inflators. ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators as Takata’s testing of the passenger inflators to date continued to indicate hot and humid area as having the highest risk, but in light of eight more field incidents, the recall was expanded nationally.

On May 4, 2016, NHTSA expanded the scope of the original recalls to include additional vehicles built with non-desiccated PSAN air bag inflators. On May 16, 2016, Takata submitted a 573 Defect Information Report to NHTSA stating that the front programmable smokeless passenger inflator and non-desiccated air bag inflator could contain a safety defect. Since most of the inflator ruptures are associated with long-term PSAN propellant degradation (caused by years of exposure to temperature fluctuations and intrusion of moisture present in the ambient atmosphere), recall populations have occurred in segments with the oldest vehicles from hot and humid locations recalled first.

The solution

Chrysler is issuing a recall on all affected vehicles. The recall began February 4, 2019, and owners should be contacted on or around February 28. Owners who incurred the cost of repairing a problem may send adequate proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense and a subsequent refund. Also, the automaker’s dealers will replace the defective non-desiccated passenger frontal air bag inflator desiccated PSAN inflator or GUNI inflator free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 1.4 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date for which information was available – 958,175 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 14, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have added the last section where drivers can check if their vehicle is part of this recall and included the recall completion rate. The article has also been updated to reflect the latest editorial standards.

Sean ReyesChrysler adds nearly 1.5 million more vehicles to Takata recall list

Toyota recalls more Takata airbag inflators – 1.3 million vehicles involved

Plano, Texas, Jan. 9, 2019 – Toyota has announced a planned expansion of recalls affecting vehicles with Takata air bag inflators that may rupture, hurling potentially deadly shrapnel at vehicle occupants. This recall has already involved millions of cars and trucks worldwide, across a broad spectrum of manufacturers and brands.

This new round of affected vehicles includes both Toyota and Lexus models. The latest recall involves the following cars and trucks:

  • 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner
  • 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla
  • 2010-2013 Toyota Matrix
  • 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna
  • 2010-2015 Scion XB
  • 2010-2012 Lexus ES 350
  • 2010-2017 Lexus GX 460
  • 2010-2015 Lexus IS 250C
  • 2010-2015 Lexus IS 350C
  • 2010-2013 Lexus IS 250
  • 2010-2013 Lexus IS 350
  • 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F

The Defect

The problem with the Takata inflators is one of the most serious defects to be revealed in recent years. When the propellants used in the parts degrade in high heat, humidity and temperature cycling, activation may result in a rupture in the air bag inflator. Ruptured air bags can throw sharp metal fragments at the occupants of vehicles, injuring or even killing them.

The danger from these potentially deadly air bags increases over time, which is why the Takata recall began with earlier cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association has been coordinating the cycles of recalls. In total, the department is targeting 37 million vehicles. The most dangerous type of Takata air bag, designated “alpha,” is found in vehicles older than those recently recalled by Toyota – owners of those cars were notified during the beginning of the recall.

Timeline of Events

The waves of the Takata recall have been ongoing since 2015. Unlike other recalls that are determined based on laboratory testing or safety inspections, the air bag inflator fault was discovered after several deadly accidents involving the compromised parts. The recall began with the vehicles most likely to contain high-risk inflators, with waves of new announcements following every few months.

According to Toyota, owners of the mentioned in the latest stage of the recall will receive letters in late January alerting them to the need to receive service for their vehicles.

The Solution

As with other stages of the Takata recall, the solution for the current round of air bag repairs involves replacing either the inflator or the whole airbag assembly, depending on the model of car in question. The modification will be carried out by Toyota and Lexus dealerships and repair work will be offered at no charge to drivers.

The automaker noted that it has been working on outreach efforts to ensure as many motorists as possible realize they need to have their vehicles repaired. Through practices such as holding events and working with third-party organizations, Toyota and the other carmakers using Takata air bag inflators have been publicizing the recall for the past few years.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Nearly 1.3 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 1,060,060 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesToyota recalls more Takata airbag inflators – 1.3 million vehicles involved

Ford expands Takata airbag inflator recall

Dearborn, MI, January 4, 2019 – Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) recently increased the scope of its recall of vehicles including airbag inflator components provided by Takata, according to a company press release. Airbags containing Takata parts have been associated with several other waves of recalls over the past few years, encompassing multiple automakers.

The latest extension of the Ford recall is approximately 782,384-strong and targets the following models:

  • 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX
  • 2010-2011 Ford Ranger
  • 2010-2012 Ford Fusion
  • 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ
  • 2010-2011 Mercury Milan
  • 2010-2014 Ford Mustang

Recall summary

Airbag inflators manufactured by Takata may be defective, which could make the airbag’s components explode instead of deploying properly in the event of a collision. The current wave of the Ford recall centers around the aforementioned vehicles’ front passenger-side airbags. Since Takata provided so many components to such a wide variety of auto manufacturers, the recall has taken place in multiple phases,  targeting various components of vehicles made by multiple manufacturers.

A crash in which an airbag explosion occurred could cause serious injury or death to motorists, adding urgency to the multi-stage recall. Ford did note in its press release that there haven’t yet been any injuries or deaths directly linked to the kinds of passenger-side inflators included in this round of the recall expansion.

The latest expansion of the Takata recall is part of a rolling schedule implemented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency noted that since the recall includes “tens of millions” of vehicles, beginning with the riskiest types of cars, mostly vehicles produced in 2006 and earlier. The order of the recall is based on both year of manufacture and the relative heat and humidity of regions – hot, humid conditions exacerbate the problems with airbags and increase risk. The entire schedule began in November 2015, according to the NHTSA, and is intended to conclude at the end of 2019.

The vehicles included in the latest Ford recall were manufactured between 2008 and 2012. The potential fault in these airbags has been known since the early days of the overall Takata recall, but due to the logistical need to handle the repairs in waves, they are only being serviced now.

The repair

Owners of affected Ford vehicles – or any other cars involved in the Takata recall thus far – should go to a local dealership, where the frontal passenger-side airbag inflator or airbag module will be replaced, with the manufacturer paying for the repairs. The reference number assigned to this latest recall by Ford is 19S01.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 782,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 583,909 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesFord expands Takata airbag inflator recall

Mitsubishi recalls vehicles with defective Takata air bags

Cypress, Calif. – April 30, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors North America (OTCMKTS:MSBHF) has recalled more than 17,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective Takata air bag assemblies, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer sedans.

Recall Summary

Affected vehicles contain Takata air bag assemblies featuring defective inflators that are prone to combustion upon deployment. When exploded, the metal inflator housing fragments, sending bits of sharp shrapnel throughout the cabin. Consequently, these fixtures pose a serious safety hazard to occupants. Takata air bags have killed 20 people and injured hundreds more worldwide, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Takata on May 18, 2015, submitted a Defect Information Report which advised all automakers involved with vehicles containing its air bag assemblies to expand ongoing recalls. NHTSA relayed this information to automotive companies May 27, 2015. In response, Mitsubishi expanded an ongoing recall involving 2004-2005 Lancer sedans to include all remaining 2005 Lancer vehicles, as well as those produced in 2006 using the Takata air bag inflators.

Between May 2015 and September 2017, the automaker replaced defective air bag assemblies with temporary like-for-like replacements. During this time, Mitsubishi also developed a viable permanent replacement, which passed the final testing phase in September 2017.

Over the following months, the automaker mass-produced the parts to build of up sufficient supply for an expanded recall action addressing all of the vehicles that received temporary replacements. On March 29, 2018, Mitsubishi reviewed the matter and decided to launch a voluntary safety recall.

The repair

The automaker will direct dealers to replace the Takata air bag assemblies in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. Mitsubishi intends to notify dealers April 19, 2018, and reach out to owners via first-class mail April 26, 2018.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 1.4 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 8,172 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesMitsubishi recalls vehicles with defective Takata air bags

Late-model Jaguars Being Recalled Over Air Bag Danger

Mahwah, New Jersey – Jan. 28, 2018 – Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling more than 8,900 late-model Jaguar XF sedans as part of the broader Takata air bag recall, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall includes:

  • 2009 Jaguar XF sedans
  • 2010 Jaguar XF sedans
  • 2013 Jaguar XF sedans

As with all other vehicles in the Takata recall, the XF sedans come with faulty passenger frontal air bag assemblies that were either original equipment or replacement parts.

Specifically, 2009 model-year XFs sold in what has been designated Zone C are part of the recall, and were produced from Dec. 4, 2007, to Feb. 11, 2009. The 2010 XFs – all produced between Sept. 24, 2008, and March 2, 2010 – were sold or registered in Zone B. The model-year 2013 XFs sold or registered in Zone A were produced from May 15, 2012, to Sept. 13, 2013.

Zone A includes a number of southern states, Hawaii, Texas and outlying territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. Zone B includes several populous states in the Midwest and Appalachia, as well as Washington, D.C.

Finally, Zone C includes all of New England, New York, a number of states in the Upper Midwest and Mountain region, as well as the Pacific Northwest.

All vehicles in the recall are believed to carry this defect.

Recall sumamry

If exposed over a long enough period of time to extreme temperature changes or high humidity, the propellant that ejects the air bag in the event of a crash could cause the bag to degrade.

Consequently, if a crash  leads to deployment of that air bag, the inflator may rupture, resulting in metal fragments being ejected from the air bag compartment at high speeds. This can increase the risk of operators and passengers in the vehicle being struck with the fragments, which can lead to injury or death.

In mid-May 2016, Jaguar Land Rover learned of the broader issue with the frontal passenger air bags from Takata, and opened its own investigation into the problem just a few days later. The automaker’s Product Safety and Compliance Committee quickly determined which of its produced vehicles had been outfitted with the faulty air bags, but that there had not been any incidents related to the issue, and no injuries have been reported to date. Nonetheless, it determined to conduct a recall of the vehicles to remediate the problem.

Since then, the company has worked with the NHTSA as part of the government organization’s coordinated remedy program. This recall as part of the program’s Phase 3.

The repair

Jaguar has already begun the process of notifying dealers about the recall, starting on Jan. 11, 2018. It likewise expects to begin notifying owners of the affected vehicles on or around Feb. 28, 2018.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 8,900 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 7,358 airbags had been replacedTo see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Rebecca RandLate-model Jaguars Being Recalled Over Air Bag Danger

Takata Air Bag Recall Expands to Include More Jaguar Vehicles

Mahwah, NJ — September 12, 2016 — Jaguar Land Rover, owned by Tata Motors (NYSE:TTM) is expanding two recalls. A Jaguar recall will now cover 20,107 XF’s, and a Land Rover recall will now cover a total of 34,738 Range Rovers. The recalls include the following models:

  • 2009-2011 Jaguar XF
  • 2007-2011 Land Rover Range Rover

Recall summary

The vehicles in question are equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags. In both cases, the problem comes from the degraded air bag inflators, which could trigger a dangerous rupture and combustion. The risk is higher in hot climates, which is why these areas are the priority for the recall.

A June 1 acknowledgment document said that 20,016 Jaguar XF vehicles were affected, while the corresponding Land Rover document cited 34,334 units. The XF vehicles in this recall were manufactured between 2007 and 2011, while the Land Rover manufacture years fell from 2006 to 2011.

The Part 573 Safety Recall Reports for each of these Jaguar recalls include comments from Takata on the exact way this problem could affect drivers.

“The propellant wafers in some of the subject inflators may degrade over time, which could lead to over-aggressive combustion in the event the air bag is activated. Overly aggressive combustion creates excessive internal pressure when the inflator is activated, which may cause the inflator body to rupture.”

NHTSA also keeps a running list of recall progress by make. As of July 15, a total 9,348,948 air bag inflators have been repaired across all models. Jaguar and Land Rover were not mentioned on the completion page, and each was noted as having only a single range of vehicles involved by this time frame.

The repair

Jaguar and Land Rover dealers will replace the passenger front airbag, free of charge. Both recalls began in March 2017.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 54,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 37,592 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

MotorSafety.orgTakata Air Bag Recall Expands to Include More Jaguar Vehicles

More than 330,000 trucks part of new GM recall [Video]

General Motors is recalling hundreds of thousands of trucks as the fallout from the Takata air bag investigations continues.

[marker] According to the NHTSA, the manufacturer is recalling more than 374,000 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks around the world, the majority of which are in the United States. This is yet another response to concerns over airbag inflator mechanisms produced by Takata Corporation.

[marker] The manufacturer announced that it is banning the use of ammonium nitrate in inflators in the future. The risk centers around the potential for improper inflators to explode during a crash and possibly harm occupants.

Thank you for watching this video, and be sure to check back often for the latest auto recall news.

MotorSafety.orgMore than 330,000 trucks part of new GM recall [Video]