Recent revelations have spurred Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Dodge, to issue a significant recall for 318,000 vehicles. The issue lies with a potentially malfunctioning airbag, arising from defective component parts that could pose a considerable safety risk to vehicle owners.
The problematic airbag parts, supplied by the German automotive company Continental Automotive Systems, were highlighted due to a fault which could cause the airbags to either deploy unintentionally or fail to deploy in the event of an accident. These issues stem from an inadequate coating on the power supply component of the airbag control unit. Over time, this can chip away, causing a power supply disruption that inadvertently triggers these adverse events.
Stellantis and Continental have recognized this critical issue and in response, issued recalls. Stellantis’s recall covers certain models of Dodge and Chrysler vehicles that were fitted with these faulty airbag components. Some of these prominent vehicle models include the 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, as well as the Dodge Nitro. Approximately 925 cases of either inadvertent airbag deployment or non-deployment have been reported, thankfully without any reported fatalities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the principal authority on America’s highway safety, has been dealing with the broader Continental airbag issue since 2020, and are aware of the recalls by Stellantis. The administration has been transparent with the data involving faulty airbag deployments and non-deployments across all manufacturers using Continental airbag control units. The data shows that over 100 inadvertent airbag deployments have occurred, causing 107 injuries and a single fatality.
The NHTSA has conducted a meticulous examination of these incidents. Their scrutiny revealed a common denominator – each vehicle involved had been fitted with airbag control units supplied by Continental. Consequently, the NHTSA compelled Continental to undertake a ‘recall query’ in 2020, which is a convoluted procedure that makes the manufacturer scrutinize the safety of their product after it has entered the market. This action eventually led to Stellantis’s current vehicle recall.
Stellantis is not alone in recalling vehicles fitted with these faulty airbag components. Other major manufacturers like Honda, Fiat, Mercedes Benz, and even Tesla have also had to initiate recalls due to the unsafe nature of the Continental airbag control units.
Owners of the recalled vehicles are understandably concerned and burdened with the question of ‘what next?’. Stellantis assures that they will notify affected customers, who in turn can schedule an appointment with authorized dealers for an absolutely free repair or replacement of the faulty airbags. This process is set to begin on May 31, 2021.
In the meantime, customers can verify if their vehicle is under recall by entering their 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA’s website. This proactive step helps the customer answer the recall question and grants them peace of mind.
In conclusion, it is critical to acknowledge the gravity of such recalls. Consumers are advised to take timely action in response to recall notices to ensure their safety on the road. Stellantis’s proactive steps to address this issue send a clear message about the company’s commitment to the safety of its customers. Other car manufacturers impacted by the faulty component are expected to be equally responsive thus ensuring safer journeys for all.