The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a “Do Not Drive” warning on Wednesday (May 29th) for 83,920 Nissan vehicles from 2002 to 2006 that are equipped with Takata airbags that have been recalled but not yet repaired.
The agency cautioned that these vehicles should not be driven until the defective airbags are repaired and replaced. The affected vehicles include 2002 to 2006 Nissan Sentra, 2002 to 2004 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2002 to 2003 Infiniti QX4 models.
NHTSA stated in a release that Nissan dealerships are offering free towing, mobile repairs, and in some locations, loaner vehicle services. Therefore, for safety reasons, owners should contact their local dealerships rather than driving their vehicles for repairs.
Since 2008, major automakers have been recalling vehicles equipped with Takata airbags, affecting approximately 100 million vehicles worldwide from 19 automakers, with 7 million being recalled in the U.S., marking the largest automotive safety recall in history.
The Takata airbag inflators are prone to rupturing and spraying sharp metal fragments at the driver and passengers. The statement noted that to date, 27 deaths in the U.S. have been confirmed due to the Takata airbag explosion defect, with over 400 individuals injured. The airbag issue is attributed to the propellant breaking down when exposed to long-term high-temperature fluctuations and moisture.
NHTSA emphasized that “even a minor fender-bender could result in the Takata airbag exploding, leading to fatalities or serious injuries. Older vehicle models pose a greater risk to occupants due to the aging of the safety airbags being one of the contributing factors to accidents.”
In January of this year, Toyota urged owners of 50,000 older vehicle models in the U.S. to cease driving and immediately initiate a recall repair due to the potential of the airbag inflators exploding, which could result in driver fatalities. The affected models include certain 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, and 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4.
Vehicle owners can check for recalls on the NHTSA’s website at www.nhtsa.gov/recalls by entering their license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN).