Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it would be expanding and accelerating the recall of Takata air bag inflators. The inflators have been linked to ten deaths and more than 100 injuries in the United States, prompting the largest vehicle recall in American history. While 28.8 million inflators have already been recalled, an additional 35-40 million inflators will now be added to the recall in phases between now and December 2019, prioritized based on risk. The expanded recall is the result of an investigation that uncovered the root cause of Takata’s inflator ruptures. A press release from NHTSA explains:
A combination of time, environmental moisture and fluctuating high temperatures contribute to the degradation of the ammonium nitrate propellant in the inflators. Such degradation can cause the propellant to burn too quickly, rupturing the inflator module and sending shrapnel through the air bag and into the vehicle occupants.
The newest phase in the recall includes the following vehicles.
- Honda adds 4,509,206 vehicles: 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot, 2006-2010 Honda GL1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline.
- Chrysler adds 4,322,870 vehicles to the list: 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 Sterling 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles.
- Toyota adds 1,654,713 vehicles: 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe.
- Mazda adds 731,628 vehicles to the list: 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2006 MPV, 2004-2011 RX-8, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6, 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9, 2009-2011 Mazda6.
- Nissan is recalling an additional 402,450 vehicles: 2003-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles.
- Subaru is adding 223,827 vehicles to the list: 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback, 2003-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza and Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2x.
- Mitsubishi adds 38,628 vehicles: 2006-2007 Lancer and Lancer Evolution
- Ferrari is now recalling 2,820 vehicles: 2010-2011 458 Italia, 2009-2011 California.
The acceleration of this recall is based on scientific evidence and will protect all Americans from air bag inflators that may become unsafe.
