The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a warning to owners of nearly 84,000 older Nissan vehicles in the United States equipped with recalled, unrepaired Takata airbags to immediately stop driving them due to a safety hazard. This warning comes after Nissan issued a similar warning for specific vehicles – the 2002-2006 model year Nissan Sentra, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 – that were recalled in 2020 but have not been fixed. NHTSA emphasized that owners should not drive these vehicles until the defective airbag is replaced, with Nissan dealers offering free towing, mobile repair, and loaner vehicles in some cases.
Over the past decade, more than 100 million Takata airbag inflators have been recalled worldwide, including 7 million in the United States, making it the biggest auto safety callback in history. The recall was initiated due to the risk of the airbag inflators exploding and releasing metal shrapnel inside the vehicle, leading to more than 30 deaths worldwide, including 27 in the United States, and over 400 injuries since 2009. The problem with the Takata airbags has been attributed to the propellant breaking down after prolonged exposure to high-temperature fluctuations and humidity, creating a safety hazard for vehicle occupants.
Minor crashes can result in exploding Takata airbags, causing fatal or life-altering injuries, according to NHTSA. The agency emphasized the seriousness of the issue and the potential risks associated with driving vehicles equipped with unrepaired Takata airbags. In a similar vein, Chrysler parent company Stellantis issued warnings to owners of 29,000 2003 Dodge Ram pickups to immediately stop driving the vehicles until repairs are made. This action came after one fatality due to a Takata airbag inflator explosion. Toyota also urged owners of 50,000 older vehicles in the United States to get immediate recall repairs for models like the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4 due to the risk of airbag inflator explosions.
Given the severity of the Takata airbag issue, owners of affected vehicles are urged to take swift action to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road. The recall and repair process is crucial in mitigating the risks posed by the defective airbags and protecting vehicle occupants from potential harm. NHTSA’s warning to owners of older Nissan vehicles and similar actions taken by other automakers underscore the importance of addressing safety recalls promptly to prevent accidents and injuries related to faulty airbag inflators. The collaborative efforts between manufacturers, dealers, and regulatory agencies are essential in ensuring public safety and vehicle integrity in light of widespread recalls and safety concerns.
