Do Not Drive Recall on 2003 Dodge Ram 1500s

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release about a Do Not Drive warning on certain recalled 2003 Dodge Ram 1500s. According to the NHTSA’s press release, there has been another confirmed Takata rupture fatality due to an exploding passenger-side inflator. This is the first fatality to happen with a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. There were 385,686 of these model year trucks recalled for this issue in 2015. Apparently, there are still about 84,000 of these trucks that haven’t been repaired yet.  

At this time, anybody with one of these trucks is being urged to not drive it until the recall has been completed and the defective airbag has been replaced. The older these vehicles get, the more likely the airbags are to rupture, so a truck that is now 20 years old could be a ticking time bomb for drivers and passengers.  

Exploding Takata Airbags  

Currently, there have been 26 deaths caused by defective Takata airbags in the U.S. Now more than ever, safety officials are calling on people to check their vehicles for open recalls. If your vehicle is being recalled for a defective Takata airbag, make sure you follow all directives. If there is a Do Not Drive warning on your vehicle, do not drive it. Your life and your passenger’s lives are on the line if an airbag ruptures.  

Even seemingly minor crashes or fender benders can result in a ruptured airbag. If an airbag ruptures and explodes, it will send shrapnel and pieces of metal directly into the facial, chest and neck areas of the occupants. Some factors that can make a rupture or explosion more likely to happen are the age of the vehicle and the climate that the vehicle’s in.  

Check Your Vehicle for Recalls  

Make sure to check your vehicle for open recalls at least twice a year. If your vehicle is under recall, call your local dealership to schedule a free repair immediately.  

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a defective auto part in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled and proven team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.