It was only yesterday where we highlighted the news that a number of cars were currently being recalled by many of the major manufacturers, due to a potential problem with their airbag safety system. Because of a fault with a Takata airbag technology, there was a risk that during an accident the airbag wouldn’t deploy correctly and that the delivery cannister could potentially explode, sending dangerous metal shrapnel into the face and body of the driver. Unfortunately, that recall has now been expanded to include upwards of 7.8 million cars.
This update has also come with a revised list of cars, which means that if your vehicle is found on the following list, it would be a good of you to check your VIN number against the Safecar website list, which will then let you know whether you’re in any danger from your airbag or not.
The current list of affected vehicles, is as follows:
BMW: 627,615 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible
Chrysler: 371,309 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
2008 – Dodge Ram 5500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Durango
2005 – 2008 Dodge Dakota
2005 – 2008 Chrysler 300
2007 – 2008 Chrysler Aspen
Ford: 58,669 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – Ranger
2005 – 2006 GT
2005 – 2007 Mustang
General Motors: undetermined total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
2005 – Saab 9-2X
Honda: 5,051,364 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2007 Honda Accord)
2001 – 2002 Honda Accord
2001 – 2005 Honda Civic
2002 – 2006 Honda CR-V
2003 – 2011 Honda Element
2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey
2003 – 2007 Honda Pilot
2006 – Honda Ridgeline
2003 – 2006 Acura MDX
2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL
2005 – Acura RL
Mazda: 64,872 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2007 Mazda6
2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
2004 – 2008 Mazda RX-8
2004 – 2005 MPV
2004 – B-Series Truck
Mitsubishi: 11,985 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – 2005 Lancer
2006 – 2007 Raider
Nissan: 694,626 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2003 Nissan Maxima
2001 – 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
2002 – 2004 Nissan Sentra
2001 – 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
2002 – 2003 Infiniti QX4
2003 – 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
Subaru: 17,516 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Baja
2003 – 2005 Legacy
2003 – 2005 Outback
2004 – 2005 Impreza
Toyota: 877,000 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2002 – 2005 Lexus SC
2002 – 2005 Toyota Corolla
2003 – 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2002 – 2005 Toyota Sequoia
2003 – 2005 Toyota Tundra
It’s still not entirely clear what has caused the problem with their airbags, whether it was an original manufacturing error, a problem with the installation of the part, or if it’s due to environmental issues, though there are some suggestions that high heat or humidity might be what causes the airbag cannister to become dangerous.
“Responding to these recalls, whether old or new, is essential to personal safety and it will help aid our ongoing investigation into Takata airbags and what appears to be a problem related to extended exposure to consistently high humidity and temperatures,” said NHTSA’s David Freidman. “However, we’re leaving no stone unturned in our aggressive pursuit to track down the full geographic scope of this issue.”
While chances are the above vehicles are only found in specific US regions where they were originally sold, like Florida, Alabama, Mexico, Texas, Puerto Rico, Louisana, American Samoa and Hawaii, there is a possibility that these vehicles are elsewhere around the world at this point. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a second to see if your car is on that list and if so, have the airbag checked out by your local garage. If it turns out to be a Takata, it is well worth replacing it to be on the safe side.
However, most owners will have received recall notices, so the original manufacturer should handle the cost for you.
Vehicle list provided by NHTSA.gov
Image source: Laitek Mac3y,
