The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration put out a do-not-drive warning for 2003 Dodge Ram vans Tuesday. The automobiles have been recalled in 2015 over defective Takata airbags.

Now the federal company can affirm the primary Takata airbag explosion fatality in a 2003 Ram. The incident additionally marked the primary dying linked to an exploding inflator on the passenger aspect of an affected car.

The dying on May 13 marks the twenty sixth such Takata airbag-related fatality within the U.S. since May 2009, in accordance with The Associated Press. 

Ram producer Stellantis advised the AP that six notices have been despatched to the Ram proprietor’s residence with out the truck being introduced in for restore.

While 3.9 million Dodge Rams have been recalled in 2015, round 84,000 of the vehicles stay extant with out service.

Both the NHTSA and Stellantis are urging homeowners to cease driving them and to test with a vendor to see if their particular person car is topic to the recall.

The older a Takata-containing automotive is, the likelier and extra harmful an airbag explosion will probably be within the occasion of a crash.

The ammonium nitrate contained in the airbags degrades and turns into extra unstable over time, with the degradation taking place sooner in scorching and humid climates.

Even a minor crash or collision can set off the airbag, capturing sharp and probably deadly shrapnel on the driver or, as on this case, a passenger.

“Don’t put yourself or someone you love at risk of dying or being seriously injured because of a defective, recalled Takata airbag. These repairs are absolutely free and could save your life,” Ann Carlson, NHTSA appearing administrator, mentioned.

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com