Humid Climates Making Recalled Air Bags Dangerous


According to the NHTSA, 7.8 million vehicles have faulty air bags being recalled by multiple auto makers.

If you happen to live and drive in an area with a hot, humid climate, take note. Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan and General Motors all are recalling vehicles with air bags manufactured by Japanese parts maker Takata. Some 7.9 million vehicles are affected and thus far, the faulty air bags are known to have been involved in seven incidents, including one that killed an Orlando woman earlier this month.

Recalled air bags that deploy in a crash can actually explode, sending shrapnel flying throughout a vehicle’s cabin and causing stab-like wounds in a victim’s face, neck and chest. Evidently, something about hot, humid climates makes the airbags more prone to problems, so auto makers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are targeting registered vehicle owners living in areas like Florida (where E3 Spark Plugs is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach), Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam.

Here’s a list of car models included in the recall. If your ride is on the list, check the manufacturer’s website for a VIN search feature that will let you know if a trip to your nearest dealer for a free-of-charge repair is in your immediate future.

BMW

  • 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
  • 2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
  • 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
  • 2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
  • 2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
  • 2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible

Chrysler

  • 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
  • 2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
  • 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
  • 2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
  • 2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
  • 2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible

Ford

  • 2004 – Ranger
  • 2005 – 2006 GT
  • 2005 – 2007 Mustang

General Motors

  • 2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  • 2005 – Saab 9-2X

Honda

  • 2001 – 2007 Honda Accord)
  • 2001 – 2002 Honda Accord
  • 2001 – 2005 Honda Civic
  • 2002 – 2006 Honda CR-V
  • 2003 – 2011 Honda Element
  • 2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey
  • 2003 – 2007 Honda Pilot
  • 2006 – Honda Ridgeline
  • 2003 – 2006 Acura MDX
  • 2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL
  • 2005 – Acura RL

Nissan

  • 2001 – 2003 Nissan Maxima
  • 2001 – 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  • 2002 – 2003 Nissan Sentra
  • 2001 – 2003 Infiniti I30/I35
  • 2002 – 2003 Infiniti QX4
  • 2003 – Infiniti FX

Mazda

  • 2003 – 2007 Mazda6
  • 2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
  • 2004 – 2008 Mazda RX-8
  • 2004 – 2005 MPV
  • 2004 – B-Series Truck

Mitsubishi

  • 2004 – 2005 Lancer
  • 2006 – 2007 Raider

Subaru

  • 2003 – 2005 Baja
  • 2003 – 2005 Legacy
  • 2003 – 2005 Outback
  • 2003 – 2005 Baja
  • 2004 – 2005 Impreza

Toyota

  • 2002 – 2005 Lexus SC
  • 2002 – 2005 Toyota Corolla
  • 2003 – 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
  • 2002 – 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  • 2003 – 2005 Toyota Tundra

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