Takata Airbag Recall Affects 1 in 4 U.S. Drivers
Millions of drivers in the U.S. are affected by a massive airbag recall. You could very well be one of them.
The problem impacts more than 40 million cars and trucks, made by over 20 manufacturers. Experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimate that 25 percent of all American vehicles might be involved.
Here is a look at the problem, how to tell if your vehicle is affected and how to get the problem fixed.
The Problem
Numerous airbags made by Takata, a Japanese manufacturer, are defective. They can potentially shoot out metal fragments during a crash.
Airbags involved are in the front of the vehicle, on both the driver or passenger side. Most of the models involved are from 2002 through 2015.
The problem is with faulty inflator and propellant components in the airbag, which cause it to explode. So far, the problem has resulted in 16 deaths and over 180 injuries.
The inflator in the airbag has a cartridge containing propellant wafers. The defect causes them to ignite and explode. In a crash, the housing around the inflator bursts, sending metal shards out into the passenger area.
The core problem, according to the NHTSA, is the use of ammonium nitrate-based propellant without a drying agent. The improper inflation and explosion is triggered by:
- Moisture in the environment
- High temperatures
- Deterioration due to age
Is Your Vehicle Affected?
Since about one-quarter of all U.S. vehicles are potential at risk, your vehicle could very well be one of them. Numerous models by makers like Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota and Honda are involved.
Just a few examples of popular makes involved include:
- Volkswagen:
2010 to 2014 Golf
2006 to 2010 Passat Sedan
2009 to 2017 CC - BMW:
2000 to 2013 BMW 3 Series
2002 to 2003 BMW 5 Series
2003 to 2013 BMW X5 - Toyota:
2002 to 2006 Sequoia
2003 to 2013 Corolla
2003 to 2006 Tundra - Honda:
2001 to 2012 Accord
2001 to 2011 Civic
2003 to 2015 Pilot
That’s just a small sampling of the vehicles involved by these four manufacturers. Far more models are affected. Dealers recommend that you check online to see if your vehicle has a defective airbag. We also have provided a more comprehensive list toward the end of this article.
Three websites you can use to look up your vehicle are:
- By VIN: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
- By license plate: https://www.airbagrecall.com/en/?utm_medium=ads&utm_source=3116306&utm_campaign=National&utm_content=153444897-79470792
Fixing the Problem
All the work needs to be done by a franchised dealership. Use the online tools to figure out if your vehicle is affected. If so, take it into a local dealer, where the work will be done for free. For VW models, we can take care of you if going to the dealer is not convenient.
Prescott Import is a Factory Authorized Warranty Repair Center for Volkswagen, serving all of Northern Arizona. This, and all, recall servicing can be handled at Prescott Import Car Service. Just bring your VW in, we’ll order the replacement part, and get you back on the road. Click here to receive a consultation or make an appointment today!
This doesn’t need to be the dealer where you actually bought the car or truck. It also doesn’t matter if your vehicle is past its warranty. The work will still be done without charge. Some dealerships will provide a loaner car, but this isn’t always the case.
Experts say it is definitely a bad idea to fix the problem yourself. The work is complex. If even a tiny thing goes wrong in your DIY repair, you could be worse off than before.
Don’t Delay
The problem is serious. Automotive experts and the NHTSA say the worst thing a driver can do is delay getting the airbag replaced.
The recall has been going on for four years. Whether or not you have heard from the dealer, contact them immediately to start the repair process.
This is especially true if:
- Your car is older
- You live in a humid area
- You live in a part of the country with high temperatures
A More Complete List of Affected Vehicles
AFFECTED VEHICLES (total U.S.-market number in parentheses, if known):
Acura: 2002–2003 3.2TL; 2003 3.2CL; 2003–2006 MDX; 2005–2012 RL; 2007–2016 RDX; 2009–2014 TL and TSX; 2010–2013 ZDX; 2013–2016 ILX (including hybrid)
Audi (more than 387,000): 2004–2009 A4; 2005–2009 S4; 2003–2011 A6; 2006–2013 A3; 2006–2009 A4 cabriolet; 2007–2008 RS4; 2007–2009 S4 cabriolet; 2007–2011 S6; 2008 RS4 cabriolet; 2009–2012, 2015 Q5; 2010–2011 A5 cabriolet; 2010–2012 S5 cabriolet; 2016–2017 TT; 2017 R8
BMW (more than 1.97 million): 2000–2011 3-series sedan; 2000–2012 3-series wagon; 2000–2013 3-series coupe and convertible; 2000–2013 M3 coupe and convertible; 2001–2003 5-series and M5; 2001–2013 X5; 2007–2010 X3; 2008–2013 1-series coupe and convertible; 2008–2011 M3 sedan; 2008–2014 X6 (including hybrid); 2011–2015 X1
Buick: 2015 LaCrosse
Cadillac: 2007–2014 Escalade, Escalade ESV; 2007–2013 Escalade EXT; 2015 XTS
Chevrolet (more than 1.91 million, including Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Saab, and Saturn): 2007–2014 Silverado HD, Suburban, and Tahoe; 2007–2013 Avalanche and Silverado 1500; 2015 Camaro, Equinox, and Malibu
Chrysler: 2005–2015 300; 2006–2008 Crossfire; 2007–2009 Aspen
Daimler: 2006–2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500 and 3500; 2007–2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500; 2008–2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500
Dodge/Ram (more than 5.64 million, including Chrysler, not including Daimler-built Sprinter): 2003–2008 Ram 1500; 2003–2009 Ram 2500; 2003–2010 Ram 3500; 2004–2009 Durango; 2005–2008 Magnum; 2005–2011 Dakota; 2006–2015 Charger; 2008–2014 Challenger; 2008–2010 Ram 4500 and Ram 5500
Ferrari (more than 2820): 2009–2014 California; 2010–2015 458 Italia; 2012–2016 Ferrari FF; 2012–2015 458 Spider; 2013–2017 Ferrari F12berlinetta; 2014–2015 458 Speciale; 2015 458 Speciale A; 2015–2017 California T; 2016–2017 Ferrari F12tdf, 488GTB, and 488 Spider; 2016 Ferrari F60; 2017 Ferrari GTC4Lusso
Fisker: 2012 Karma
Ford (3 million, including Lincoln and Mercury): 2004–2011 Ranger; 2005–2006 GT; 2005–2014 Mustang; 2006–2012 Fusion; 2007–2010 Edge
GMC: 2007–2014 Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL; 2007–2013 Sierra 1500; 2015 Terrain
Honda (11.4 million, including Acura): 2001–2012 Accord; 2001–2011 Civic (including hybrid and NGV); 2002–2011, 2016 CR-V; 2002–2004 Odyssey; 2003–2015 Pilot; 2003–2011 Element; 2006–2014 Ridgeline; 2006–2010, 2012 Gold Wing motorcycle; 2007–2013 Fit; 2010–2015 Accord Crosstour; 2010–2014 Insight and FCX Clarity; 2011–2015 CR-Z; 2013–2014 Fit EV
Infiniti: 2001–2004 I30/I35; 2002–2003 QX4; 2003–2008 FX35/FX45; 2006–2010 M35/M45
Jaguar: 2009–2015 XF
Jeep: 2007–2016 Wrangler
Land Rover (more than 68,000): 2007–2012 Range Rover
Lexus: 2002–2010 SC430; 2006–2013 IS; 2007–2012 ES; 2008–2014 IS F; 2010–2015 IS C; 2010–2017 GX; 2010–2015 IS convertible; 2012 LFA
Lincoln: 2006–2012 Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ; 2007–2010 Lincoln MKX
Mazda (more than 733,000): 2003–2011 Mazda 6; 2006–2007 Mazdaspeed 6; 2004–2011 RX-8; 2004–2006 MPV; 2004–2009 B-series; 2007–2012 CX-7; 2007–2015 CX-9
McLaren: 2011–2015 P1; 2012–2014 MP4-12C; 2015–2016 650S; 2016–2017 570; 2016 675LT
Mercedes-Benz (1,044,602, including Daimler): 2005–2014 C-class (excluding C55 AMG but including 2008–2012 C63 AMG); 2007–2008 SLK-class; 2007–2017 Sprinter; 2009–2012 GL-class; 2009–2011 M-class; 2009–2012 R-class; 2010–2011 E-class sedan and wagon; 2010–2017 E-class coupe; 2011–2017 E-class convertible; 2010–2015 GLK-class; 2011–2015 SLS AMG coupe and roadster
Mercury: 2006–2011 Milan
Mitsubishi (more than 105,000): 2004 Lancer Sportback; 2004–2007 Lancer; 2004–2006 Lancer Evolution; 2006–2009 Raider; 2012–2017 iMiEV
Nissan (more than 1,091,000, including Infiniti): 2001–2003 Maxima; 2002–2004 Pathfinder; 2002–2006 Sentra; 2007–2012 Versa
Pontiac (more than 300,000): 2003–2010 Vibe
Saab: 2003–2011 9-3; 2005–2006 9-2X; 2006–2009 9-5
Saturn: 2008–2009 Astra
Scion: 2008–2015 xB
Subaru (more than 380,000): 2003–2014 Legacy and Outback; 2003–2006 Baja; 2004–2011 Impreza; 2006–2014 Tribeca; 2009–2013 Forester; 2012–2014 WRX and WRX STI
Tesla: 2012–2016 Tesla Model S
Toyota (6 million, including Lexus and Scion): 2002–2007 Sequoia; 2003–2013 Corolla and Corolla Matrix; 2003–2006 Tundra; 2004–2005 RAV4; 2006–2012 Yaris; 2010–2016 4Runner; 2011–2014 Sienna
Volkswagen (more than 680,000): 2006–2010, 2012–2014 Passat sedan and wagon; 2009–2017 CC; 2009–2013 GTI; 2010–2014 Jetta SportWagen and Golf; 2010–2014 Eos; 2013 Golf R; 2015 Tiguan
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