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Airbag Recalls

by Larry Carley copyright AA1Car.com

airbag deployed

Has your vehicle had an airbag recall? Auto makers have issued quite a few airbag recalls in recent years over safety concerns that the airbags may not deploy in an accident. Car makers are required to notify vehicle owners when an airbag recall has been issued. But if you are the second or third owner of a vhicle that is subject to an airbag recall, you may have never received such a notice. There have been a LOT of these recalls so check to see if your vehicle is affected.

DO NOT IGNORE AN AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE!

If you have received an airbag recall notice from your vehicle manufacturer or car dealer, or you see your vehicle in the following list of recalls, take your vehicle to a car dealer for free repairs. Recalls are a safety issue so the repairs should cost you nothing, and it may save your life in an accident!

If you do not see your vehicle listed below, you can do a search for any safety related recalls at Safercar.gov. This is the official National Traffic Safety Administration website for safety recalls and other information.

multiple airbags protect vehicle passengers
Multiple airbags surround the passenger compartment to protect the occupants in a crash.

Recent Airbag Recalls:


Audi Airbag Recalls

2012 A6 Side curtain airbags may not deploy properly due to improper stitching.


BMW Airbag Recalls

May 1999 to August 2006 3 Series to replace passenger-side front air bags made by Takata Corp because the inflators could break apart during deployment and injure passengers.

2004 to 2005 5-Series standard and sport seat models, 2004 to 2006 X3 and 2006 3-Series with sport seats Passenger side curtain airbags may not deploy due to wear in passenger seat sensor.

BMW issues Do Not Drive Warning (May 2023) for approximately 90,000 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46) including M3, 2000-2003 5 Series (E39) including M5, and 2000-2004 X5s (E53) equipped with certain driver's front airbag inflators manufactured by Takata. To check if your VIN is affected, go to BMW safety recalls.



Chrysler Airbag Recalls

2012-2014 Dodge Ram trucks (all models) for a driver's side airbag that may suddenly deploy due to a wiring harness short.

2013-2015 Dodge Ram 1500 through 3500 trucks for side airbags that may deploy when the door is slammed shut.

2008, 2009 and 2010 Dodge Challenger models to replace defective Takata airbags.

2002 to 2003 Jeep Liberty, 2002-04 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2003-04 Dodge Vipers for a faulty TRW airbag control module that may cause the air bags to deploy without warning while driving (recall issued 1-31-2015 for 753,000 vehicles). This latest recall requires replacing the airbag control module.

2002 to 2003 Jeep Liberty Airbags may deploy without warning while driving due to a system fault. Recall campaign M35. Involves wiring repairs.

2002 to 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Airbags may deploy without warning while driving due to a system fault. Recall campaign M35. Involves wiring repairs.

2003 to 2004 Dodge Viper Airbags may deploy without warning while driving. Involes wiring repairs.

2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Grand Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country minivans Airbags may deploy without warning while driving. A leak in the HVAC system or condenser drain can short out the nearby airbag control module, causing it to blow the bags.


Ford Airbag Recalls

2013 to 2014 Ford Escape and C-Max for a software glitch that may cause the side curtain airbags to deploy late in an accident.

2004 to 2006 Ford F-150 and Ranger pickup trucks and 2006 Lincoln Mark LT trucks. Faulty wiring may short circuit driver's side airbag causing airbag warning light to come on followed by possible airbag deployment. NHTSA recall campaign 11V107000.

2011 to 2013 Ford Fiesta Possible fault in right rear passenger air bag system could prevent deployment in accident. NHTSA recall campaign 12V488000.



Ford Review of Previous Airbag Recalls Reveals Potential Problems (February 2024)

A Ford followup review of some 42,000 previously recalled Ford vehicles for airbag replacement has found that some vehicles did not have the work performed correctly, or at all!

Because of the high volume of vehicles recalled, many Ford dealerships struggled to meet the demand for replacing airbags. Some dealerships reportedly used entry level or low skilled technicians who were not properly trained on how to do the replacement work. Consequently, some airbags were not installed correctly, or were not even replaced. In cases were the original airbags were not replaced, Ford was billed for the work anyway by some dealers!

One of the prompts for Ford to reevaluate previous airbag replacement work was a lawsuit by a person who was severaly injured and disfigured by an original Takata airbag that had supposedly been replaced by a Ford dealer. The dealership claimed it did the work , but in fact they had lied about replacing the recalled airbags and told the vehicle owner the work had been done.

Ford suspects some of its dealers have turned in claims for airbag replacement work that was never performed, cheating Ford and putting their customer's lives at risk.

It's likely other vehicle manufacturers have also experienced similar problems with the massive airbag recalls that have been issued to date.

Additional recalls for aging Takata airbags in a variety of makes and models of vehicles keep coming with no apparent end in sight.

To date, aging Takata air bags that explode with excessive force have killed 26 people in the U.S. and injured hundreds. The propellent that inflates the airbag actually becomes more powerful with age as a result of exposure to heat and humidity. Apparently, Takata did not forsee this as a potential problem when the airbags were originally manufactured. If the airbag is triggered in an accident, the propellant explodes with so much force that it blows the metal canister that holds the charge apartlike a hand grenade. The sharp fragments fly out and can hit the face, eyes, neck and chest of the vehicle's occupants, causing serious injury, disfigurement or even death.


General Motors Airbag Recalls

2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe to replace a faulty TRW control module that may cause the airbags to deploy without warning while driving (issues 1-31-2015).

2008-2009 Pontiac G8 Dual stage front airbags may deploy too slowly in an accident, allowing possible injury to front seat occupants in a crash. Recall involves reprogramming front airbag sensors for faster deployment. NHTSA recall campaign 11V534000.

2011 Cadillac SRX crossover Faulty passenger side sensor may prevent side curtain airbag from deploying in accident. NHTSA recall campaign 11V149000.

2012 Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic Faulty front air bags may not deploy in accident. GM internal recall campaign 12261.

2012 GMC Savana and Cheverolet Express vans Front dual stage airbags may fail to deploy properly in accident. NHTSA recall campaign 11V543000.

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Faulty Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) may accidentally trigger roof rail side airbags as a result of hard braking or turning maneuvers. NHTSA recall campaign 12V224000.


Honda & Acura Airbag Recalls

2003-2004 Honda Odysseys and 2003 Acura MDXs to replace a faulty TRW conntrol module that may cause the air bags to deploy without warning while driving (recall issued 1-31-2015 for 374,177 vehicles).

2001 to 2002 Accord Driver's airbag may deploy with excessive force causing injury in an accident. Honda will replace airbag inflator. For details, see www.recalls.honda.com or call 800-999-1009.

2001 to 2003 CivicDriver's airbag may deploy with excessive force causing injury in an accident. Honda will replace airbag inflator. For details, see www.recalls.honda.com or call 800-999-1009.

2001 to 2003 OdysseyDriver's airbag may deploy with excessive force causing injury in an accident. Honda will replace airbag inflator. For details, see www.recalls.honda.com or call 800-999-1009.

2002 to 2003 CR-VDriver's airbag may deploy with excessive force causing injury in an accident. Honda will replace airbag inflator. For details, see www.recalls.honda.com or call 800-999-1009.

2002 to 2003 Acura 3.2 TLDriver's airbag may deploy with excessive force causing injury in an accident. Honda will replace airbag inflator. For details, see www.recalls.acura.com or call 800-382-2238.

2003 Acura 3.2 CLDriver's airbag may deploy with excessive force causing injury in an accident. Honda will replace airbag inflator. For details, see www.recalls.acura.com or call 800-382-2238.

2003 PilotDriver's airbag may deploy with excessive force causing injury in an accident. Honda will replace airbag inflator. For details, see www.recalls.honda.com or call 800-999-1009.

2009 to 2013 Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan Recall for missing airbag cover rivets. This could result in injury to the driver if the airbag deploys in an accident.

2011 Accord Faulty front driver and passenger side airbag inflators may fail to deploy in a crash. NHTSA recall campaign 12V030000.

2012 Crosstour Faulty front driver and passenger side airbag inflators may fail to deploy in a crash. NHTSA recall campaign 12V030000


Hyundai & Kia Airbag Recalls

2001 to 2002 Hyunda Elantra Front airbags may not deploy in accident due to liquid spilling in console cup holder and fouling airbag control module under the console.

2001 to 2002 Hyundai Elantra Side impact curtain airbags may not deploy due to damaged wiring harness under each front seat.

2006 to 2008 Kia Rio Front passenger seat sensor may fail to detect child, causing airbag to deploy will full force in an accident causing possible injury or death to a child. Recall campaign SC097.

2007 to 2008 Kia Sorento The Occupant Classification System (OCS) that detects a small child in the front passenger seat should deactivate the passenger side air bag, but it may also fail to detect a fullsize adult in the passenger seat preventing the airbag fro deploying in an accident. The fix is to reprogram and OCS module. NHTSA recall action EA09017.

2007 to 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV Faulty passenger seat sensor may not detect a small child which may prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash.

2007 to 2008 Hyundai Elantra Driver side front airbag needs to be reprogrammed for softer deployment based on seating position.

2007 to 2009 Hyundai Elantra Passenger airbag may deploy with excessive force.

2012 to 2013 Hyundai Sonata Side airbags may suddenly deploy without warning while driving.


Mazda Airbag Recalls

2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6,2004 MPV and 2004-2008 Mazda B-Series trucks for potentially defective airbag inflators made by Takata Corporation. Inflator canister may explode and produce shrapnel that could injure vehicle occupants. Click Here to read a copy of the June 2014 Mazda recall notice listing specific models equipped with the Takata airbag inflators.


Lexus Airbag Recalls

2002 to 2005 Lexus SC . Takata airbag recall to replace potentially dangerous airbags that could spray metal shrapnel if the airbag deploys in an accident.


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Mercedes Airbag Recalls

2011 G550 and G55 AMG luxury SUVs Part of dash panel molding trim may break loose when airbag deploys during an accident causing injury to occupants.

2012 E350 and E550 Improper stitching of the right side window curtain airbag may prevent it from deploying as intended. NHTSA recall campaign 12V492000


Nissan & Infiniti Airbag Recalls

2003 to 2005 Infiniti Q45 Wiring fault may prevent front seat side airbags from deploying in accident. NHTSA recall campaign 12V079000.

2012 Nissan Altima and Nissan Versa sedans Faulty side curtain airbags may not deploy in an accident. NHTSA recall campaign 12V055000.

2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF and Sentra, 2013-2017 Nissan Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60 and Q50, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 for a defect in the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) that may prevent the passenger side airbag from deploying in an accident.


Subaru Airbag Recalls

2012 Legacy sedans Faulty side curtain airbags may not deploy an accident.


Toyota Airbag Recalls

2003 and 2004 Toyota Corolla, Matrix and Avalon. Airbags may deploy without warning due to system fault (recall issued 1-31-2015 for over 1,000,000 vehicles). Recall invovles replacing the airbag control module.

2003 to 2005 Corolla Takata airbag recall to replace potentially dngerous airbags that could spray metal shrapnel if the airbag deploys in an accident.

2005 to 2009 Tacoma trucks Faulty steering wheel wiring may prevent driver airbag from deploying in accident.

2011 RAV4 Defective side curtain airbags may not deploy in accident.

2012 and 2013 Avalon, Camry and Venza Condensation from A/C system can leak on airbag control module, causing airbag system to malfunction or possible airbag deployment while driving.


Takata Airbag Recalls

Defective airbag inflators supplied by Takata Corp. to various vehicle manufacturers have been blamed for a number of deaths and injuries. The metal canister that holds the airbag can explode when the airbag deploys, producing shrapnel that can injure vehicle occupants. The number of vehicles that are affected is in the tens of millions.

Here is a list of vehicles equipped with the Takata airbag inflators (source:NHTSA).
If you are uncertain whether your vehicle is included, check with your car dealer. They can determine if your vehicle is included by its VIN number.

BMW Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2000 to 2005 3 Series Sedan

2000 to 2006 3 Series Coupe

2000 to 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon

2000 to 2006 3 Series Convertible

2001 to 2006 M3 Coupe

2001 to 2006 M3 Convertible

Chrysler Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2003 to 2008 Dodge Ram 1500

2005 to 2008 Dodge Ram 2500

2006 to 2008 Dodge Ram 3500

2006 to 2008 Dodge Ram 4500

2008 Dodge Ram 5500

2005 to 2008 Dodge Durango

2005 to 2008 Dodge Dakota

2005 to 2008 Chrysler 300

2007 to 2008 Chrysler Aspen

2008 to 2010 Dodge Challenger

Ford Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2004 Ranger

2005 to 2006 GT

2005 to 2008 Mustang

General Motors Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2003 to 2005 Pontiac Vibe

2005 Saab 9-2X

Honda Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2001 to 2007 Honda Accord

2001 to 2005 Honda Civic

2002 to 2006 Honda CR-V

2003 to 2011 Honda Element

2002 to 2004 Honda Odyssey

2003 to 2007 Honda Pilot

2006 Honda Ridgeline

2003 to 2006 Acura MDX

2002 to 2003 Acura TL/CL

2005 Acura RL

Mazda Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2003 to 2007 Mazda6

2006 to 2007 MazdaSpeed6

2004 to 2008 Mazda RX-8

2004 to 2005 MPV

2004 B-Series Truck

Mitsubishi Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2004 to 2005 Lancer

2006 to 2007 Raider

Nissan Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2001 to 2003 Nissan Maxima

2001 to 2004 Nissan Pathfinder

2002 to 2004 Nissan Sentra

2001 to 2004 Infiniti I30/I35

2002 to 2003 Infiniti QX4

2003 to 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45

Subaru Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2003 to 2005 Baja

2003 to 2005 Legacy

2003 to 2005 Outback

2003 to 2005 Baja

2004 to 2005 Impreza

Toyota Takata Air Bag Recalls:

2002 to 2005 Lexus SC

2002 to 2005 Toyota Corolla

2003 to 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix

2002 to 2005 Toyota Sequoia

2003 to 2005 Toyota Tundra



Recall Resources:

Don't know if your vehicle has an outstanding recall notice?
Go to https://checktoprotect.org and enter your vehicle's VIN number (usually located on a metal plate at the base of the windshield on the driver's side) to see if there are any outstanding recalls for your car, truck or SUV.

You can also go to Safercar.gov and search their data base of auto manufacturer recalls.


air bag recalls Related Articles:

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Recalls Don't Ignore Them!

Auto Accidents: Mechanical Problems That Increase Your Risk

Milestones in Automotive Safety

To More Technical Info Click Here to See More Carley Automotive Technical Articles


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