Stellantis issued a fresh ‘Do Not Drive’ warning in February 2026 for roughly 225,000 older Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles — but that alert was just the latest chapter in a crisis that has never fully closed. The Takata airbag recall, which NHTSA calls the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history, covers 67 million airbags across tens of millions of vehicles. At least 28 people in the United States have been killed and more than 400 injured by exploding Takata inflators.
Millions of affected vehicles are still on the road, unrepaired. If you own — or are thinking about buying — any vehicle from a long list of makes spanning model years 2000 through 2016, checking your VIN right now takes about two minutes and could save your life.
Most recalls allow you to keep driving while you wait for a repair appointment. A ‘Do Not Drive’ order is different. It means the risk of serious injury or death is high enough that NHTSA and the manufacturer are telling you to park the vehicle and not operate it until the defective airbag inflator has been replaced.
The danger is specific: over time, the chemical propellant inside certain Takata inflators degrades — especially in vehicles that have spent years in hot, humid climates. When the airbag deploys in even a minor crash, the inflator can rupture violently, sending metal fragments into the cabin. Older vehicles are at the highest risk because their inflators have had more time to degrade. Repairs are performed free of charge at dealerships.
Stellantis’s February 2026 warning covers the following vehicles with open, unrepaired Takata recalls. If you own any of these, do not drive the vehicle until the airbag inflator has been replaced:
|
Production Years |
Model |
|---|---|
|
2003–2010 |
Dodge Ram 1500 |
|
2004–2009 |
Dodge Durango |
|
2005–2011 |
Dodge Dakota |
|
2005–2008 |
Dodge Magnum |
|
2006–2015 |
Dodge Charger |
|
2008–2014 |
Dodge Challenger |
|
2007–2009 |
Chrysler Aspen |
|
2005–2015 |
Chrysler 300 |
|
2007–2016 |
Jeep Wrangler |
|
2006–2009 |
Mitsubishi Raider |
More than 6.6 million airbag inflators in Stellantis vehicles have already been replaced. The roughly 225,000 that remain are the ones this warning targets.
The Stellantis alert is the most recent, but NHTSA maintains active ‘Do Not Drive’ orders across more than a dozen brands. The full list of high-risk vehicles currently flagged by NHTSA includes:
|
Maker |
Production Years |
Model |
|
Acura |
2002–2003 |
3.2 TL |
|
2003 |
3.2 CL |
|
|
BMW |
certain 2000–2006 |
3 Series (E46) including M3 |
|
certain 2000–2003 |
5 Series (E39) including M5 |
|
|
certain 2000–2004 |
X5 (E53) |
|
|
Ford |
certain 2004–2011 |
Ranger |
|
2005-2006 |
GT |
|
|
2005–2014 |
Mustang |
|
|
2006–2012 |
Fusion |
|
|
2006–2012 |
Lincoln MKZ/Zephyr |
|
|
2006–2012 |
Mercury Milan |
|
|
2007–2010 |
Edge |
|
|
2007–2010 |
Lincoln MKX |
|
|
Honda |
2001–2002 |
Accord |
|
2001–2002 |
Civic |
|
|
2002 |
CR-V |
|
|
2002 |
Odyssey |
|
|
2003 |
Pilot |
|
|
Infiniti |
certain 2002–2003 |
QX4 |
|
Mazda |
certain 2004–2009 |
B-Series |
|
2003–2013 |
Mazda 6 |
|
|
2006–2007 |
Mazdaspeed 6 |
|
|
2004–2011 |
RX-8 |
|
|
2004–2006 |
MPV |
|
|
2007–2012 |
CX-7 |
|
|
2007–2015 |
CX-9 |
|
|
Nissan |
certain 2002–2006 |
Sentra |
|
certain 2002–2004 |
Pathfinder |
|
|
Pontiac |
certain 2003–2004 |
Vibe |
|
Toyota |
certain 2004–2005 |
RAV4 |
|
certain 2003–2004 |
Corolla and Matrix |
Test data on the inflators in these vehicles shows a significantly higher rupture risk than other recalled Takata airbags — which is precisely why they carry the stronger ‘Do Not Drive’ designation rather than a standard recall notice.
NHTSA’s free recall lookup tool is the fastest way to confirm whether your specific vehicle has an open Takata recall. Here’s how to use it:
You can also call Stellantis’s customer service hotline directly at 833-585-0144 if your vehicle is a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram. NHTSA also offers a recall alert signup so you’re notified automatically if a future recall affects your vehicle.
The Takata crisis started in 2008 and is still claiming lives. If there’s any chance your vehicle is on this list — or if you’re shopping for a used car from any of these model years and brands — run the VIN check before you drive another mile. The repair is free. The alternative is not.
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