Nissan and its Infiniti luxury division have asked drivers to park 83,920 cars from model years 2002 through 2006 and not drive them again until dealers have performed urgent safety repairs.
The issue is an old one you’ve likely heard about before. But it illustrates a persistent problem with car safety – drivers often ignore critical safety recalls, putting themselves and their passengers at risk even though the fix is free.
The cars contain airbag inflators made by the now-defunct Takata corporation. They’ve been subject to a massive, worldwide recall for more than a decade. But many drivers have not yet sought out free repairs.
Recalled models include the:
- 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
- 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2002-2004 Infiniti QX4
A Grenade In The Steering Wheel
Airbags work thanks to inflators — tiny metal capsules filled with chemicals that combine to create a rapidly expanding gas. In an accident, an inflator should release those gasses through a nozzle to inflate the folded airbag into a pillow.
But some Takata inflators were faulty. They could explode instead, sending hot metal shrapnel into the cabin. That phenomenon has injured and killed dozens of drivers and passengers.
Takata, long out of business, once made airbag inflators for much of the global auto industry. Safety experts estimate that Takata inflators were installed in as many as 67 million cars sold in the U.S., under almost every brand name.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says at least 50 million of those cars have been repaired. That leaves as many as 17 million on the road, where they still regularly take lives.
The Risk Grows Every Day
The agency reports, “To date, NHTSA has confirmed 27 people in the United States have been killed by a defective Takata airbag that exploded. In addition, at least 400 people in the United States allegedly have been injured by exploding Takata airbag inflators. Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata airbags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries.”
Takata inflators grow more volatile as the chemicals inside age. So the older the car, the greater the risk.
The increasing danger has caused Honda, Chrysler, Dodge, BMW, Toyota, and now Nissan to issue stop-driving orders to drivers who still haven’t had the free repair completed.
The Repair Is Free
Recall repairs, by law, are always free.
Given the situation’s urgency, Nissan and Infiniti are going beyond offering free repairs. The companies say they will offer “free towing, mobile repair, and in select locations, loaner vehicles” to make it as easy as possible for owners to get the fix.
Take this one seriously if you own an affected car. We’ve seen reports of drivers killed by Takata airbags after being notified of the danger dozens of times. The repair costs nothing, and Nissan will pick up your car or even fix it where you park it if possible.
Check whether your car has any outstanding recalls with the easy VIN tool at our recall center.
If you prefer talking directly to the manufacturer, you can call Nissan customers with questions or concerns at 800-647-7261 or visit Nissan’s recall website. Infiniti customers can reach the automaker at 800-662-6200 or visit its website.
