Stellantis Recalls 285,000 Cars Due To Faulty Airbags

Stellantis is recalling nearly 285,000 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models due to faulty airbags that can explode and throw shrapnel. 

Stellantis is recalling 285,000 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300s

The specter of airbag-related recalls continues to hang over the auto industry with the Takata airbag recall being the biggest in automotive history. Stellantis is the latest automaker to issue an airbag recall with this one targeting 285,000 Chrysler 300 and Charger models due to side airbag inflators that can explode with too much force. 

Faulty inflators can throw shrapnel at occupants 

The recall covers 2018 to 2021 model year Chargers and 300s

The cars affected by the recall are Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models from the 2018 through 2021 model years with Stellantis saying that moisture can get into the inflators due to a manufacturing defect. This moisture can cause corrosion and cracks to appear with the damaged components becoming projectiles if the vehicle is in an accident. 

Stellantis says that 1% of the inflators targeted in the recall are defective and that while it has received seven reports of the problem occurring from warranty claims and customer assistance calls, no fatalities have been connected to the problem.  

A link to the past 

The faulty side airbag inflators were made by company that acquired Takata assets

The faulty inflators were made by Joyson Safety Systems a company that ended up acquiring what was left of Takata after the company declared bankruptcy due to lawsuits stemming from its faulty airbag inflators. 

It’s not known if Takata was involved in the design of the inflators but the potential for the damaged components to become flying objects if the inflator explodes is eerily similar to the original recall that eventually saw over 100 million inflators being recalled around the world. 

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What owners should do? 

Owners can contact Stellantis and the NHTSA to learn more about the recall

Stellantis says that it will begin notifying affected owners on May 3rd with dealerships replacing both side airbag modules free of charge. Owners wondering whether their vehicle is affected by the recall can contact FCA US, LLC Customer Service at 1-800-853-1403 or visit Mopar’s recall site to check their VIN number. Owners can also go to nhtsa.gov to learn more about the recall or call the agency’s hotline at 1-888-327-4236.