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In March, Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) issued a recall for certain 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles due to the risk of rupturing airbag inflators. According to the initial report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 14, 2024, Stellantis is recalling
- 2018-2021 Dodge Chargers
- 2018-2021 Chrysler 300s
after the FCA US LLC Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance organization opened an investigation into the vehicles in mid-February.
According to their findings, some 2018-2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 vehicles that may have been built with the side air bag inflatable curtain ("SABIC") inflators were at risk for ruptures due to a manufacturing defect. The report officially determined that "the affected vehicles may have had moisture introduced into the inflator during supplier manufacturing that may cause internal corrosion over time and potentially lead to Stress Corrosion Cracking in the inflator."
Should the SABIC inflators be left untreated, it could lead to a potential rupture where sharp metal fragments may strike the vehicle occupants, resulting in severe injury or death. The affected Dodge Charger vehicles were produced from July 05, 2018, to May 20, 2021, while the 2018-2021 Chrysler 300s vehicles were produced from July 05, 2018 - May 19, 2021. Combined, there is a total of 284,982 potentially affected units.
Affected vehicle owners can expect to receive notice in the mail starting May 3, 2024, regarding the recall and can contact their local Chrysler dealer to schedule the replacement of both side curtain airbags, free of charge. For more information behind the recall, owners can contact the North America, Chrysler Group, or FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. The FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 19B. The NHTSA has listed the recall under the campaign number 24V-198.
Vehicle owners are now able to verify if their car is affected by the recall by entering their license plate number or 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) into the NHTSA's search engine. Drivers can locate their vehicle's VIN on the lower left of their windshield, registration card. In some cases, a VIN may be found on the vehicle's insurance card.
Are These Recalls Related to the Takata Airbag Inflator Recall?
While the inflators were made by Joyson Safety Systems, the company that eventually acquired the infamous Japanese company known for creating the Takata airbags, the issue is not related to the Taka airbag inflators. As mentioned in the filing to the NHTSA, Stellantis said the latest issues with the airbags were unrelated to the initial problem with the infamously recalled Takata airbag inflators, as the company no longer uses the same propellant or inflator design.
Since February 21, 2024, of the cases investigated by the FCA, the US has been aware of five vehicles that have reported the airbags having inflated while the vehicles were parked and the cabin temperature was above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Takata Airbag Inflator Recalls
The Takata airbags were manufactured by the Takata Corporation, a Japanese-based auto supplier that equipped auto manufacturers around the world with roughly 25% of the inflators used to activate airbags in the event of an impact. In order to cut costs during the manufacturing process, Takata opted to use a cheaper propellant in their inflators, a chemical known as ammonium nitrate. Over time, and with exposure to high temperatures and humidity, the ammonium nitrate would deteriorate and become unstable.
In the event of an accident or impact, the inflators would rupture and send mental metal fragments flying into the vehicle's cabin. The NHTSA claims issues with the Takata airbag inflators have been reported since 2004. Since then, there have been roughly 27 deaths reported in the United States and 400 injuries worldwide directly related to the Takata airbag inflators. With over 67 million inflators and 47 million vehicles recalled, it holds the record for the largest vehicle recall in United States history.
Auto companies like BMW, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Tesla, and Volkswagen have issued Takata airbag inflator recalls. In 2023, Stellantis issued an immediate stop-driving notice to 29,000 drivers of the 2003 Dodge Ram pickups pending repairs to its airbag inflators after one person was killed due to the explosion of a Takata airbag inflator.
Were You Injured Due to a Faulty Airbag?
Drivers should never have to question if the life-saving technology built into their vehicles will be the reason they or their loved ones will ultimately suffer an injury or worse. Unfortunately, due to the potential negligence of certain vehicle manufacturing companies, thousands of unsuspecting drivers are now at risk. Some of the most commonly sustained injuries due to ruptured airbags include lacerations, nerve damage, traumatic brain injuries, and vision loss.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to a possible faulty airbag, we may be able to help you get the justice you deserve. For more information, contact a Morgan & Morgan defective airbag attorney today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.