Still one of the largest, if not largest, recall in automotive history, millions of vehicles with Takata air bags remain a serious threat to safety.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning ALL vehicle owners to immediately check to see if their vehicle has an open Takata air bag recall.
If it does, owners need to contact their dealership to schedule a free repair as soon as possible and follow any warnings from the vehicle manufacturer, according to a press release from NHTSA.
How to Check for Recalls
- Use NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool to check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for any open safety recalls, including the urgent Takata recall.
- Download NHTSA's SaferCar app and let it check automatically for you.
- If your vehicle does have a safety recall, call your automaker’s local dealer to schedule the free recall repair.
- Sign up at NHTSA.gov/Alerts to be notified by email if your vehicle is affected by a future recall.
“We need everyone to check right now for open Takata recalls – and if you have one, to schedule an appointment at your dealership immediately for a repair,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson. “Every day that passes when you don’t get a recalled air bag replaced puts you and your family at greater risk of injury or death. Don’t let an open recall cost you or your passengers your lives.”
NHTSA issued this urgent warning after one person was killed after a crash in a 2006 Ford Ranger where the Takata driver’s side air bag inflator ruptured. The vehicle was already under a “do not drive” warning.
Additionally, NHTSA is aware of other suspected inflator ruptures in vehicles from other automakers potentially due to exploding Takata air bags.
Even minor crashes can result in exploding air bags that can kill or produce life-altering injuries. Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors, the press release stated.
For Takata-specific information from vehicle manufacturers, please click here.
