The Takata air bag inflator recall is shaping up to be even more frightening than anything GM has done in the past fifteen years or the Explorer rollover issue. Here’s the deal: The inflator, the “exploding” part that fills the bag, tends to explode a hell of a lot harder if moisture gets into the system. Among other issues: bad welds, improperly handled explosive chemicals, rust and even chewing gum inside the inflator have been discovered. One of two things happen: either the inflator bursts or during normal operation, the inflator fragments when the air bag is triggered.
That last part, about the fragmentation, is the most frightening revelation in this recall. Effectively, the inflator turns into a mini-grenade and blasts the metal directly at whoever is in front of it. In one case, police were treating the death as a homicide before it was discovered that the car, a Honda Accord, had been listed for the original recall. So far, potentially three deaths are linked to Takata inflators and at last count per NHTSA’s website, which has been overrun with traffic, is counting approximately 7.8 million vehicles affected.
Per NHTSA, here is the list of vehicles affected as of 10/22/2014. Make sure to check with your service provider by VIN to make sure that your vehicle falls under the recall:
BMW: 627,615 total number of potentially affected vehicles
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
Chrysler: 371,309 total number of potentially affected vehicles
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
Ford: 58,669 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – Ranger
2005 – 2006 GT
2005 – 2007 Mustang
General Motors: undetermined total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
2005 – Saab 9-2X
Honda: 5,051,364 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2007 Honda Accord)
2001 – 2002 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
Mazda: 64,872 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2007 Mazda6
2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
2004 – 2008 Mazda RX-8
2004 – 2005 MPV
2004 – B-Series Truck
Mitsubishi: 11,985 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – 2005 Lancer
2006 – 2007 Raider
Nissan: 694,626 total number of potentially affected vehicles
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
Subaru: 17,516 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Baja
2003 – 2005 Legacy
2003 – 2005 Outback
2004 – 2005 Impreza
Toyota: 877,000 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2002 – 2005 Lexus SC
2002 – 2005 Toyota Corolla
2003 – 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2002 – 2005 Toyota Sequoia
2003 – 2005 Toyota Tundra
I have to ask who the editor of this is! And how misinformend he/she may be!
I want a clear explanation of this statement! “The Takata air bag inflator recall is shaping up to be even more frightening than anything GM has done in the past fifteen years or the Explorer rollover issue”
The Toyota recalls for out of control cars killed more, affected more than any car maker in last 15 years! Toyota’s Out-of-Control Gas Pedals, 2009 & 2010
Size of Recall: 9 million vehicles
Models Affected: 2004-2010 Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Highlander, Prius, RAV4, Tundra, Tacoma and various Lexus models.
For the record!
Ford is number 1 Ford’s Failure-to-Park Recall,Ford’s Failure-to-Park Recall, 1980
Largest recall
Size of Recall: 21 million vehicles
Models Affected: All Ford vehicles manufactured between 1976 and 1980.
Little news hint!
The Takata Seatbelt Scandal, 1995
Size of Recall: 8.3 million vehicles.
Models Affected: Numerous models made by Honda, Nissan, Chrysler, Mitsubishi, GM, Mazda, Suzuki, Subaru and Isuzu between 1986 and 1995.
You better do more research it was actually Chrysler’s k car that was killing its owners. With the no brake park not ford. Good try though.