Imperiling the safety of drivers and passengers alike, Stellantis, a major global automaker, has been stirred into action, recalling nearly 318,000 Dodge and Chrysler sedans to replace the side airbag inflators. These inflators, installed on both sides of selected 2018 to 2021 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models, pose a substantial risk as they can explode under excessive force, catapulting metal fragments throughout the vehicle.
Safety regulators unearthed documents divulging the automaker’s revelation that a manufacturing defect might allow moisture to infiltrate the inflators. This unfortunate incursion can lead to consequential corrosion and cracking. As a result, the airbags can prematurely inflate in response to high cabin temperatures, even in the absence of any collision. To date, Stellantis has noted seven warranty claims and customer assistance reports in relation to the issue, though, thankfully, no reports of injuries.
Given the geographic distribution of the recalled models, most affected vehicles are located in North America. In response to the issue, dealers will supplant both side airbag modules. The company has planned to start notifying the owners by May 3. Concerned car owners are advised to contact the company if they hold reservations concerning their vehicles’ ongoing use, although it’s currently unstated whether loaner vehicles will be provided.
Despite the substantial number of vehicles affected, Stellantis estimates that the defect only compromises around 1% of the inflators. Notably, these inflators are manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems, a company acquired in the aftermath of the bankruptcy of Japanese airbag maker, Takata.
Unlike Takata’s inflators, which used volatile ammonium nitrate to inflate front airbags upon a crash, the inflators used by Stellantis do not use the same propellant or inflator design. However, the company discovered multiple instances where the airbags inflated in parked vehicles with cabin temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).
The ghost of Takata’s faulty inflators, however, looms menacingly over the global auto industry. Since 2009, defective Takata inflators have caused the deaths of 26 people in the U.S., and a total of 30 globally, with victims hailing from as far as Malaysia and Australia. Additionally, nearly 400 injuries have been reported. The massive scope of this issue precipitated the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with 100 million Takata inflators recalled worldwide.
Stellantis’s ongoing recall action underscores a renewed commitment to safety, as it seeks to forestall a similar devastating sequence of events. With this decisive move, Stellantis hopes to ensure the safe, trouble-free journeying for passengers worldwide.