In a recent announcement, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged owners of approximately 84,000 older Nissan vehicles in the United States to cease driving them immediately due to safety concerns surrounding unrepaired Takata airbags. This directive comes on the heels of a warning issued by the Japanese automaker itself, cautioning owners against driving specific models – including the 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 – which were subject to a 2020 recall but have not undergone necessary repairs.
NHTSA emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating unequivocally, “If you have one of these vehicles, do not drive it until the repair is completed and the defective airbag is replaced.” To facilitate the recall process, Nissan dealerships are providing complimentary towing, mobile repair services, and, in some regions, loaner vehicles.
The recall underscores a broader issue within the automotive industry, as over the past decade, more than 100 million Takata airbag inflators have been recalled globally, with 7 million in the United States alone, constituting the largest auto safety recall in history. Tragically, the faulty airbags have been linked to over 30 deaths worldwide, including 27 in the US, along with more than 400 injuries since 2009. The root cause of these incidents has been identified as the degradation of propellant within the airbag inflators, exacerbated by prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
Highlighting the severity of the risk, NHTSA warned that even minor collisions could trigger the rupture of Takata airbags, resulting in potentially fatal consequences or life-altering injuries. The urgency of the situation was further emphasised by recent events, such as Stellantis’ decision last year to advise owners of 29,000 2003 Dodge Ram pickups to halt driving their vehicles immediately following a fatal incident involving a Takata airbag inflator explosion.
Echoing these concerns, Toyota issued a similar plea in January, urging owners of 50,000 older vehicles – including the 2003-2004 Corolla, 2003-2004 Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 RAV4 models – to prioritise recall repairs due to the risk posed by defective Takata airbag inflators.
As automotive manufacturers and safety regulators continue to grapple with the repercussions of the Takata airbag crisis, the imperative remains clear: prioritising the safety of motorists by promptly addressing and rectifying potential hazards is paramount.