Automakers began identifying which of their models are affected by the recently expanded Takata airbag recall Thursday, with Fiat Chrysler, BMW and Honda adding hundreds of thousands of vehicles to their already overflowing roster of cars in need of replacement safety devices.
Reuters reports that the three manufacturers released more information regarding cars equipped with potentially deadly Takata airbags that can spew pieces of shrapnel upon deployment that have been linked to six deaths and more than 100 injuries.
Fiat Chrysler brought its total number of recalled vehicles with Tataka airbags to about 5.22 million worldwide, including about 4.5 million in the United States.
Most of those cars, which cover model years 2003 to 2011, were involved in previous recall campaigns.
According to the Associated Press, the Fiat Chrysler recalls cover model year 2003 Ram 1500/2500/3500, model year 2005 to 2009s Ram 2500 Pickup, model years 2004 to 2008 Ram 1500 Pickup, model years 2006 to 2009 Ram 3500 Pickup, model years 2007 to 2009 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, model years 2008 to 2010 Dodge Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, model years 2008 to 2009 Sterling 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, model years 2004 to 2008 Dodge Durango, model years 2007 to 2008 Chrysler Aspen, model years 2005 to 2010 Chrysler 300/300C/SRT8, model years 2005 to 2010 Dodge Charger/Magnum, model years 2005 to 2011 Dodge Dakota, and model years 2006 to 2010 Mitsubishi Raider.
BMW expanded its recall of Takata-equipped vehicles to include an additional 280,000, covering a total of 20 models from 2002 to 2006. In all, the company has recalled 421,000 cars in the U.S.
Vehicle models now covered by BMW’s recalls include model years 2002 to 2005 325i/325xi/330i/330xi, model years 2002 to 2005 325xi/325i Sports Wagon, model years 2002 to 2006 330Ci/325Ci/M3 Convertible, model years 2002 to 2006 325i/330i/M3 Coupe, model years 2002 to 2003 M5/540i/525i/530i, model years 2002 to 2003 540i/525i Sports Wagon, model years 2003 to 2004 X5 3.0i/4.4i, the AP reports.
Honda, which has been linked to all six deaths related to the airbag defect, expanded its U.S.-based recall to include an another 350,000 cars, many part of previously disclosed recalls. In all, the automaker has recalled more than 20 million vehicles for the airbag issue since 2008.
Newly added Honda-made vehicles include model year 2005 Civics and model years 2006 to 2007 Accords.
The automakers’ expanded recalls come just a week after Takata declared that nearly 33.8 million vehicles sold in the United State should be recalled for the defect.
While about 17 million of those vehicles had already been part of recalls by major automakers, millions of others had yet to be identified, leaving consumers wondering if they’re driving around with what some people have likened to an explosive device in their steering wheel.
Regulators compiled a partial list of affected vehicles last week. That list – which can be found on the Post – included several major models such as the Honda Civic, Dodge Ram, BMV 3 Series, Mazda 6, and Toyota Corolla.
Consumers looking to see if their vehicles are part of the largest auto recall in history can check by entering their 17 digit VIN on the SaferCar.gov website, which produces a list of all recalls associated with a particular vehicle.
Identifying affected vehicles will likely be just one hurdle consumers will face when it comes to the Takata recall. The parts manufacturer has struggled in recent months to meet the demand for replacement airbags. The company recently announced it would increase increase its output of new parts to one million per month later this year.
But even if those consumers do receive new airbags promptly, there’s no guarantee those new safety devices are safe, as Takata, regulators and manufacturers have yet to identify what has caused the defect.
FCA, Honda, BMW expand recalls of vehicles with Takata air bags [Reuters]
Automakers, gov’t to reveal models in expanded Takata recall [The Associated Press]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist