Stellantis Alerts 225,000 Vehicle Owners with ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning Due to Airbag Concerns

Stellantis is issuing a critical alert to owners of approximately 225,000 older vehicles in the U.S. The company advises these owners to cease driving their vehicles immediately if they have not addressed the issue of defective Takata air bags.

This warning specifically targets certain 2003–2016 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram models that were previously recalled due to faulty air bag inflators. These inflators pose a serious risk as they can rupture during a crash, as confirmed by Stellantis in a communication to FOX Business.

According to Stellantis, “This action is intended to accelerate the repair of the remaining affected vehicles to safeguard owners, their families, and the general public from the risk of serious injury or death.”

The automaker highlighted that the chemical propellant inside some Takata air bag inflators can deteriorate over time, particularly in hot and humid conditions. This deterioration increases the likelihood of rupture, which can result in metal fragments being propelled into the vehicle cabin.

TOYOTA RECALLS 141K VEHICLES OVER DOORS THAT COULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING

The warning applies to certain 2003–2016 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram models previously recalled for faulty air bag inflators. (Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also weighed in, stating, “If you have one of these vehicles, do not drive it until the repair is completed and the defective air bag is replaced.”

Models affected by this alert include:

• 2007–2009 Chrysler Aspen SUVs
• 2007–2008 Chrysler Crossfire coupes
• 2005–2015 Chrysler 300 sedans
• 2008–2014 Dodge Challenger coupes
• 2003–2016 Dodge Ram pickup trucks and Dodge Sprinter vans
• 2004–2009 Dodge Durango SUVs
• 2005–2012 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks
• 2005–2008 Dodge Magnum station wagons
• 2006–2015 Dodge Charger sedans
• 2007–2016 Jeep Wrangler SUVs

REGULATORS EXPAND PROBE INTO NEARLY 1.3M FORD F-150 PICKUP TRUCKS OVER TRANSMISSION ISSUES

A 2007 Chrysler Aspen SUV at the North American International Auto show Jan. 10, 2006, in Detroit. (Bryan Mitchell/Getty Images)

Over the past decade, more than 6.6 million Takata air bag inflators have been replaced, yet around 225,000 vehicles in the U.S. remain unrepaired, as reported by the NHTSA.

Stellantis emphasized, “This stop-drive directive is focused on completing repairs on this remaining population.” Notifications to affected customers began on February 9, and repairs will be conducted at no cost.

The NHTSA has linked the malfunctioning Takata air bags to 28 fatalities and over 400 injuries in the U.S. “Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries,” the NHTSA cautioned. Older model year vehicles are particularly at risk, as their air bags are more likely to explode.

BMW RECALLS NEARLY 90,000 VEHICLES OVER ENGINE STARTER FIRE RISK

Over 6.6 million Takata air bag inflators have been replaced over the course of more than a decade. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Globally, more than 100 million vehicles, including 67 million in the U.S., have been recalled over the past decade due to defective Takata air bag inflators, as reported by Reuters.

This stop-drive order is part of a larger trend of auto recalls. Recently, Jaguar Land Rover announced a recall of nearly 2,300 electric SUVs in the U.S. due to concerns that a high-voltage battery could overheat and pose a fire risk, as stated by the NHTSA.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Additionally, Toyota is recalling about 141,000 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles after discovering that rear doors could unexpectedly open while the car is in motion, according to a newly filed report from the Department of Transportation.

FOX Business’ Landon Mion and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

Stellantis is issuing a critical alert to owners of approximately 225,000 older vehicles in the U.S. The company advises these owners to cease driving their vehicles immediately if they have not addressed the issue of defective Takata air bags.

This warning specifically targets certain 2003–2016 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram models that were previously recalled due to faulty air bag inflators. These inflators pose a serious risk as they can rupture during a crash, as confirmed by Stellantis in a communication to FOX Business.

According to Stellantis, “This action is intended to accelerate the repair of the remaining affected vehicles to safeguard owners, their families, and the general public from the risk of serious injury or death.”

The automaker highlighted that the chemical propellant inside some Takata air bag inflators can deteriorate over time, particularly in hot and humid conditions. This deterioration increases the likelihood of rupture, which can result in metal fragments being propelled into the vehicle cabin.

TOYOTA RECALLS 141K VEHICLES OVER DOORS THAT COULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING

The warning applies to certain 2003–2016 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram models previously recalled for faulty air bag inflators. (Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also weighed in, stating, “If you have one of these vehicles, do not drive it until the repair is completed and the defective air bag is replaced.”

Models affected by this alert include:

• 2007–2009 Chrysler Aspen SUVs
• 2007–2008 Chrysler Crossfire coupes
• 2005–2015 Chrysler 300 sedans
• 2008–2014 Dodge Challenger coupes
• 2003–2016 Dodge Ram pickup trucks and Dodge Sprinter vans
• 2004–2009 Dodge Durango SUVs
• 2005–2012 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks
• 2005–2008 Dodge Magnum station wagons
• 2006–2015 Dodge Charger sedans
• 2007–2016 Jeep Wrangler SUVs

REGULATORS EXPAND PROBE INTO NEARLY 1.3M FORD F-150 PICKUP TRUCKS OVER TRANSMISSION ISSUES

A 2007 Chrysler Aspen SUV at the North American International Auto show Jan. 10, 2006, in Detroit. (Bryan Mitchell/Getty Images)

Over the past decade, more than 6.6 million Takata air bag inflators have been replaced, yet around 225,000 vehicles in the U.S. remain unrepaired, as reported by the NHTSA.

Stellantis emphasized, “This stop-drive directive is focused on completing repairs on this remaining population.” Notifications to affected customers began on February 9, and repairs will be conducted at no cost.

The NHTSA has linked the malfunctioning Takata air bags to 28 fatalities and over 400 injuries in the U.S. “Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries,” the NHTSA cautioned. Older model year vehicles are particularly at risk, as their air bags are more likely to explode.

BMW RECALLS NEARLY 90,000 VEHICLES OVER ENGINE STARTER FIRE RISK

Over 6.6 million Takata air bag inflators have been replaced over the course of more than a decade. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Globally, more than 100 million vehicles, including 67 million in the U.S., have been recalled over the past decade due to defective Takata air bag inflators, as reported by Reuters.

This stop-drive order is part of a larger trend of auto recalls. Recently, Jaguar Land Rover announced a recall of nearly 2,300 electric SUVs in the U.S. due to concerns that a high-voltage battery could overheat and pose a fire risk, as stated by the NHTSA.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Additionally, Toyota is recalling about 141,000 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles after discovering that rear doors could unexpectedly open while the car is in motion, according to a newly filed report from the Department of Transportation.

FOX Business’ Landon Mion and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.