Takata Airbag recall

[brods]

What is very disconcerting is that Chrysler is sitting on the recall information. http://www.autonews.com/article/201...-nhtsa-to-move-faster-on-takata-airbag-recall

A while back we received a recall notice for our Dodge minivan's ignition switch. It states the switch will be replaced but the parts are not available. It says what to do to minimize any risk with the current switch and that we will be notified when the parts become available. There is no reason they could not do such a recall with the airbags.

I do not like driving around playing Russian roulette with a hand grenade in the steering wheel. The fear the programmer that worked in the Mexican airbag plants had of defective ignitors makes me wonder what information he was privy to that made him so extremely concerned. As usual we are only getting part of the story from the manufacturers.

The New York Times has published a report suggesting that Takata knew about the airbag issues in 2004, conducting secret tests off work hours to verify the problem. The results confirmed major issues with the inflators, and engineers quickly began researching a solution. But instead of notifying federal safety regulators and moving forward with fixes, Takata executives ordered its engineers to destroy the data and dispose of the physical evidence. This occurred a full four years before Takata publicly acknowledged the problem.

 

[fox]

Roughly 1:45 into the video says it is only a Regional recall. Says the bags are more likely to fail in humid climates. Guess it is a good thing I live in AZ. Makes me feel so much safer.

Now, will someone define " HUMID" and how long this humid condition is required to change the odds?

 

[Doubleclutch]

Based on the driving habits, skills and types of vehicles I've encountered lately, the likelihood that the airbag in my truck will go off during a spam-can encounter is much less likely than that of the boulevard commando who just cut me off and jammed on his brakes within the crush zone. I don't mind biding my time, waiting for the backlog of air bags to be doled out to the smaller needy vehicles. Out of curiosity, how many of our members have had bags go off?
Greg

 

[Tuesdak]

Based on the driving habits, skills and types of vehicles I've encountered lately, the likelihood that the airbag in my truck will go off during a spam-can encounter is much less likely than that of the boulevard commando who just cut me off and jammed on his brakes within the crush zone. I don't mind biding my time, waiting for the backlog of air bags to be doled out to the smaller needy vehicles. Out of curiosity, how many of our members have had bags go off?
Greg

The perfect driving record is quickly undone by a drunk/asleep/stupid/suicidal Alien swerving into your lane head on giving you no where to go at enough speed to let you eat your airbag. As you pointed out you need to worry more about the other drivers on the road, some more qualified than others.

That said now is an good time to up your own insurance policy to 300/300/300 or 500/500/500 rather than the worthless state minimums. This will cover you or your family in case of under insured motorist and you wind up screwed up real bad. (Specifically from a defective airbag until the lawsuit gets settled years later.) It can take years to return to work after a near fatal wreck. Medical bankruptcy in the USA after a wreck is a good possibility.

 

[jfluffy2]

I have just received a recall letter from Chrysler, called and made a appointment they told me there is a long waiting list it's going to take about two weeks to get Parts.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The scariest part is having them work on your truck. Every time the dealer has had mine something is chipped or scratched. Or rattles after they're done.
I lucked out on this one, neither my truck or our Toyota is covered by this recall (yet?).

Scott

 

[brods]

I have just received a recall letter from Chrysler, called and made a appointment they told me there is a long waiting list it's going to take about two weeks to get Parts.

Was it just for the passenger side or for both air bags? Did they recommend any preventative actions to take until the repair is completed (like no one sitting in the front passenger seat)?

 

[Bob4x4]

The recall only applies to certain areas Chrysler is conducting a limited regional field action for the above vehicles
originally sold or ever registered in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. virgin islands
Recall p40

.2003-2007 (DR) Dodge RAM 1500/2500/3500 Pickup
2005-2007 (DH)Dodge RAM 2500 Pickup
2006-2007 (D1) Dodge RAM 3500 Pickup
2007 (DC) Dodge RAM 3500 Cab Chassis
2004-2007 (HB) Dodge Durango
2007 (HG) Chrysler Aspen
2005-2007 (LX) Chrysler 300/Dodg

 

[jfluffy2]

The recall letter did not state which air bag needed to be replaced, just needed to make an appointment ASAP. I do agree with Prairie Dog, I purchase this truck used and was amazed how well the interior was put together,I have no rattles or cracks in my dash, this is with a truck that is almost 10years old and with 177,000 miles on her.

I live in Florida so I guess that is why I got this recall letter.

Jack

 

[BillDriscoll]

Got my recall and I'm in FL....the problem said....the driver and/or passenger airbag infiltrator housing your vehicle may rupture......
gonna call tomorrow and see about and appointment.

When they do it, I hope they can get around all the yellow stickies notes all over the truck that says dont do the backup horn recall!

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Just got my truck air bags done at the dealer just an FYI the dealer is ONLY replacing the canisters on the back of the air bags.
My truck was the first the dealership has done, took about two hours.

 

[Wingate]

recalls recalls recalls... my dang 06 model has got a stack of recalls that havent been done.. Pretty sad that Chrysler is STILL spending money on a truck they sold 8 years ago!

 

[Tuesdak]

Looks like 2003 3500's are now on the "area specific" list.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/12/12/takata-airbag-recall-claims-209k-chrysler-dodge-vehicles/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/takata-public-best-served-by-regional-airbag-recall/

And to take further issue with this: people who have been hurt by the defective airbags are OUTSIDE the recall areas! Can we go any slower on the recall and cover up the defect any better? This might cost a company some money - more than a few lawsuits from dead bodies are worth. I hope NHTSA takes them to task to recall all of them rather than limited areas. I for one don't know where my truck was purchased and lived most of it's life prior to me buying it. Even so it was a RV hauling truck for a retired owner and guess where retirees like to go aside of here: Florida. Not that I believe them for one second that humidity has squat to do with the defect.

From articles above:

However, at the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler Group is expanding its replacement action beyond its original scope of Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Affected by this recall are the following vehicles, provided they were purchased, ever registered or still registered in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan and the U.S. Virgin Islands:
2003-2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup
2003-2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup
2003-2005 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup
2004-2005 Dodge Durango
2005 Chrysler 300, 300C, SRT8
2005 Dodge Magnum
2005 Dodge Dakota Pickup

 

[Wingate]

oh gee, we dont have any humidity here in east Texas... never seen humidity in Houston!

 

[BillDriscoll]

Called mt local Pensacola Dodge dealer last Tue and they call me back Fri and said they will call me when the parts come in for the airbag recall.....
Guess if I get in a wreck, I should (a) duck or (b) jump? lol