Catherine Hiles
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NHTSA Adds 1.4 Million More Vehicles to Takata Airbag Recall

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Yesterday, we reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was recalling 4.7 million cars that were fitted with faulty (and potentially life-threatening) airbags. Late last night, that recall expanded to bring the total number of affected vehicles up to a whopping 6.1 million. The Takata airbag recall isn’t something new (automakers have been recalling vehicles affected by the faulty airbags for 18 months now), but this latest expansion shows just how widespread the problem is.

Takata airbag recall

Honda is by far the automaker affected the most by the Takata airbag recall

So what is the problem, exactly? Well, the airbags, which were supplied to the 10 affected automakers by Japanese company Takata, have the potential to explode and blast out shrapnel when deployed. Yes, shrapnel. So the moment you need your airbags the most—when you’re involved in a potentially life-threatening collision—they are likely to cause you even more injury. In fact, NHTSA reports that at least four people have died as a direct result of these faulty airbags. Not good.

Customers who live in humid climates are thought to be in particular danger, since the NHTSA believes humidity to be a major factor in the exploding of the airbags. As a result, the recall notice is of particular importance to drivers in Florida, the Gulf States, Georgia, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Drivers of affected vehicles are being urged to take care of the problem as soon as possible by going to their local dealers and having the airbags replaced.

UPDATE: The NHTSA has revised its list of potentially affected vehicles, and the total number is now around 7.8 million. The most recent list is below:

From BMW: 627,615 models

  • 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
  • 2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
  • 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
  • 2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
  • 2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
  • 2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible

From Chrysler: 371,309 models

  • 2003 – 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
  • 2005 – 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
  • 2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
  • 2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
  • 2008 Dodge Ram 5500
  • 2005 – 2008 Dodge Durango
  • 2005 – 2008 dodge Dakota
  • 2005 – 2008 Chrysler 300
  • 2007 – 2008 Chrysler Aspen

From Ford: 58,669 models

  • 2004 Ranger
  • 2005 – 2006 GT
  • 2005 – 2007 Mustang

From General Motors: An undetermined number of models

  • 2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  • 2005 Saab 9-2X

From Honda: 5,051,364 models

  • 2001 – 2007 Honda Accord
  • 2001 – 2005 Honda Civic
  • 2002 – 2006 Honda CR-V
  • 2003 – 2011 Honda Element
  • 2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey
  • 2003 – 2007 Honda Pilot
  • 2006 Honda Ridgeline
  • 2003 – 2006 Acura MDX
  • 2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL
  • 2005 Acura RL

From Mazda: 64,872 models

  • 2003 – 2007 Mazda6
  • 2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
  • 2004 – 2008 RX-8
  • 2004 – 2005 MPV
  • 2004 B-Series Truck

From Mitsubishi: 11,985 models

  • 2004 – 2005 Lancer
  • 2006 – 2007 Raider

From Nissan: 694,626 models

  • 2001 – 2003 Nissan Maxima
  • 2001 – 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  • 2002 – 2004 Nissan Sentra
  • 2001 – 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
  • 2002 – 2003 Infiniti QX4
  • 2003 – 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45

From Subaru: 17,516

  • 2003 – 2005 Baja
  • 2003 – 2005 Legacy
  • 2003 – 2005 Baja
  • 2003 – 2005 Outback
  • 2004 – 2005 Impreza

Toyota: 877,000 models

  • 2002 – 2005 Lexus SC
  • 2002 – 2005 Toyota Corolla
  • 2003 – 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
  • 2002 – 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  • 2003 – 2005 Toyota Tundra