Faulty Takata airbags are nonetheless killing folks, nearly a decade on from the preliminary discovery of the issue and subsequent remembers.
Three folks have been not too long ago killed in separate crashes, bringing the worldwide dying toll from the faulty airbags to 32, of which 23 occurred within the U.S., in keeping with the Related Press.
The newest spherical of deaths, which occurred in Stellantis automobiles, led the automaker to announce on Thursday that house owners of sure Dodge and Chrysler automobiles ought to instantly cease driving their automobiles till the faulty airbags are changed, which is a service Stellantis is providing freed from cost.
The automobiles listed in Stellantis’ alert embody Dodge Challengers, Chargers, and Magnums from mannequin years 2005-2010, and Chrysler 300s of the identical classic. Roughly 276,000 automobiles are affected within the U.S.
Takata emblem (photograph by Flickr person jo.schz)
Remembers for the automobiles have been first issued in 2015, however Stellantis mentioned many house owners didn’t take their automobiles in for the service. It plans to proceed encouraging these house owners to have the service achieved, both through put up, e-mails, textual content messages, telephone calls, or dwelling visits.
Because the Takata airbag investigation began in 2014, the Japanese firm has filed for chapter and been absorbed by Chinese language rival Key Security Techniques. Three former senior executives at Takata have been additionally convicted of falsifying information that led to the faulty airbag. At its peak, Takata is believed to have had a 20% share of the airbag market.
The issue was prompted by means of ammonium nitrate for inflating the airbag. The chemical can turn into extra explosive over time when uncovered to moist air and excessive temperatures. The elevated volatility can rupture a metallic canister contained inside the airbag, creating lethal shrapnel.
Anybody on the lookout for additional info can contact Stellantis at 833-585-0144. They might additionally examine their Automobile Identification Numbers (VIN) at mopar.com/remembers, checktoprotect.org, or nhtsa.gov/remembers.