What Is the Takata Airbag Inflator Recall?

What is the problem with these inflators?

An airbag inflator is the part that releases gas to fill the bag in a crash. According to NHTSA, the propellant in the recalled Takata inflators can degrade after long exposure to high humidity and temperature cycling. If that happens, the inflator can rupture when the airbag deploys.

A rupture can send metal fragments through the airbag and into the vehicle interior at high speed. NHTSA reports that this has caused injuries and deaths, which is why the recall is taken so seriously.

Why does it matter even if my airbag looks fine?

The problem is inside the inflator, so nothing is visible from the cabin. There is no warning sign you can spot, and the airbag light does not tell you whether your vehicle is included.

For some vehicles, manufacturers have issued a "do not drive" warning until the repair is done. If your notice says that, take it literally and contact the dealer right away.

How do I find out whether my vehicle is affected?

• Find the VIN: it is on the dashboard at the base of the windshield, on the driver door jamb label, and on your registration or insurance card.
• Run the lookup: enter it in the recall lookup on this site or on the NHTSA recall page. The result shows whether any recall is open for that vehicle.
• Check again later: a clean result reflects the database at that moment, so recheck from time to time.

What should I do if my vehicle has an open airbag recall?

Contact a dealership for your vehicle brand and schedule the repair. Safety recall repairs are done at no charge. If parts are limited, ask the dealer what the manufacturer advises in the meantime.