The largest automotive safety recall in U.S. history. A defective inflator propellant can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, killing or injuring occupants. Millions of vehicles remain unrepaired.
Do not wait for a recall notice in the mail. Takata inflators can rupture with no warning. If your vehicle falls in an affected model year range, check your VIN today. The repair is free and takes a few hours at any authorized dealer.
Takata supplied airbag inflators to virtually every major automaker starting in the late 1990s. The defect isn’t in the airbag itself; it’s in the chemical propellant used to inflate it.
Takata used ammonium nitrate as the propellant in their inflators, a cheaper alternative to other compounds. Under normal conditions, it ignites rapidly on crash impact to inflate the airbag in milliseconds.
Ammonium nitrate is highly sensitive to heat and humidity. Over years of cycling between hot and cold, the propellant degrades, becoming overly volatile and unpredictable, especially in warm, humid climates.
When the airbag deploys, the degraded propellant ignites with too much force, rupturing the metal inflator housing and sending shrapnel through the airbag into the driver or passenger at high velocity.
NHTSA designated the oldest and most humidity-exposed inflators as “alpha” inflators (the highest-risk category) and urged owners of those vehicles to stop driving them until repaired. Even non-alpha inflators remain a serious hazard and should be replaced promptly.
67M+
Airbag inflators subject to recall in the United States
37M+
Vehicles affected across more than a dozen major brands
19+
Deaths confirmed in the United States due to inflator ruptures
20+ years
Since the first known rupture injuries. The recall is still open today.
The Takata recall spans more than two dozen brands across every segment of the market, from economy sedans to supercars. Honda and Acura account for the largest share, but virtually every major automaker was affected, including Ferrari, Tesla, McLaren, and discontinued brands like Saab and Saturn.
Accord, Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV, CR-V, CR-Z, Crosstour, Element, FCX Clarity, Fit, Fit EV, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline
Largest Share3.2CL, 3.2TL, ILX, ILX Hybrid, MDX, RDX, RL, TL, TSX, ZDX
Largest Share4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tundra, Yaris Hatchback/Sedan; Scion xB (2008–2015)
ES350, GX460, IS250/350, IS250C/350C, IS F, LFA, SC430
1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3, X5, X6, X6 Hybrid
Maxima, Pathfinder, Sentra, Versa
FX, I30, I35, M, QX4
Ford Edge, Fusion, GT, Mustang, Ranger; Lincoln MKX, Zephyr/MKZ; Mercury Milan
B-Series, CX-7, CX-9, Mazda6, Mazdaspeed6, MPV, RX-8
Baja, Forester, Impreza (incl. WRX/STI 2004–2011), Legacy, Outback, Tribeca, WRX/STI (2012–2014)
C-Class, E-Class, E-Class Coupe/Cabrio, GL-Class, GLK-Class, ML-Class, R-Class, SLK-Class, SLS-Class
Chrysler 300, Aspen, Crossfire; Dodge Challenger, Charger, Dakota, Durango, Magnum, Ram 1500–5500; Jeep Wrangler
Cadillac Escalade/ESV/EXT; Chevy Avalanche, Silverado HD/LD, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Sierra HD/LD, Yukon, Yukon XL
Pontiac Vibe; Saab 9-2x, 9-3, 9-5; Saturn Astra
A3, A4 Avant/Sedan/Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, A6 Avant/Sedan, Q5, R8, RS4, S4, S5 Cabriolet, S6, TT
CC, Eos, Golf, Golf R, GTI, Passat, Passat Wagon, Tiguan
i-MiEV (2012, 2014, 2016–2017), Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Lancer Sportback, Raider
458 Italia/Speciale/Spider, 488 GTB/Spider, California, California T, F12, F12 tdf, F60, FF, GTC4Lusso
Jaguar XF; Land Rover Range Rover
Model S
570, 650S, 675LT, MP4-12C, P1
Karma
Dodge Sprinter (2007–2009), Freightliner Sprinter (2007–2017), Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2010–2017), Sterling Bullet (2008–2009)
This list is a general guide, not an exhaustive record. Not every vehicle in these year ranges is affected; recall status depends on the specific production date, VIN, and inflator batch. The only reliable way to know is to check your VIN. Two vehicles of the same make, model, and year can have different recall status.
The Takata recall unfolded slowly, delayed by manufacturer secrecy, regulatory hesitancy, and the staggering scale of parts already installed on the road.
Honda issues the first known Takata recalls, a small campaign initially attributed to manufacturing defects in specific lots. The underlying propellant instability goes unacknowledged.
A Honda driver in Alabama dies when her airbag inflator ruptures, the first confirmed U.S. death. NHTSA opens an initial inquiry but its scope remains narrow and the systemic nature of the defect is not yet public.
NHTSA expands its investigation to multiple automakers as the death and injury toll mounts. Senate hearings in late 2014 reveal that both Takata and automakers had internal data pointing to the defect years earlier. Three U.S. deaths are confirmed by year-end.
NHTSA orders a nationwide recall and compels Takata to officially declare the ammonium nitrate propellant defective, a first for any company of its size. Initially covering roughly 34 million vehicles, the campaign would grow significantly in subsequent expansions.
The recall grows to over 67 million inflators as additional vehicle models are added. In June 2017, Takata files for bankruptcy in the U.S. and Japan (the largest ever in the automotive supply industry) and agrees to a $1 billion criminal settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Key Safety Systems (now Joyson Safety Systems) acquires most of Takata’s operations.
The recall remains one of the largest open safety campaigns in automotive history. While most of the highest-risk “alpha” inflators have been replaced, millions of vehicles with Takata inflators remain on American roads without a completed repair. The free replacement program is still active at authorized dealerships.
Getting your Takata recall repaired is straightforward and free. Don’t wait for a letter. By the time it arrives, your inflator may have been degrading for years.
Enter your 17-character VIN or license plate on our homepage. Recall status is determined by your specific VIN; two identical vehicles from the same model year can have different status based on production date and inflator batch.
Check My VIN →If your recall results flag a Takata inflator, note whether it’s designated a high-priority or “alpha” inflator: these are the oldest and most degraded and NHTSA has urged owners to park the vehicle until repaired. All Takata inflators should be treated as urgent regardless of category.
Any franchised dealership for your vehicle’s brand can perform the Takata inflator replacement. You don’t have to go where you bought the car. Call ahead to confirm they have replacement parts in stock, as high-demand periods can occasionally cause short delays.
Request a copy of the completed repair order. This closes the recall on your VIN and is important documentation for vehicle resale, insurance, and your own records. The repair takes a few hours and involves replacing the entire inflator with a new, approved unit.