Death Prompts Do-Not-Drive Warning for Certain Dodge Rams
Exploding Takata airbag leads to 26th US death as owners of 2003 Ram models urged to get them repaired.

The airbags can degrade over time, particularly in hot, humid climates, causing the inflators to rupture when deployed and emit sharp debris.
IMAGE: Stellantis
A May death attributed to an exploding Takata airbag has led the Stellantis automaker to issue a do-not-drive warning to some 29,000 owners of 2003 Dodge Ram pickups.
It’s the 26th U.S. death connected to Takata airbag ruptures and the first involving a passenger-side inflator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. It’s also the first such fatality in a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, it said.
The airbags in question can degrade over time, particularly in hot, humid climates, causing the inflators to rupture when deployed and emit sharp debris, Stellantis says.
The model is among the more than 385,000 that were recalled in 2015, and the NHTSA estimates that about 84,000 of those haven’t been repaired. It says occupants of the models “are at grave risk of serious injury or death” and urges owners not to drive them until their air bags are replaced, though it implores all vehicle owners to check whether their models fall under Takata airbag recalls and to get them repaired right away if they do. The airbag replacements are free of charge through the manufacturer’s local dealer.
“The older a defective Takata air bag inflator gets, the more dangerous it becomes,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson in a statement.
LEARN MORE: Exploding Airbag Issue Much Bigger Than Thought
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Showroom

Used EVs Outpace New
While North American electric-vehicle sales remain down year-over-year, May sales saw a 3% increase from April’s numbers as used EVs led the market.
Read More →
New Vehicles Down for Most Brands
Healthy May sales cut into inventory as automakers kept a tight reign on supply, though some brands ended the month with excess units on the ground.
Read More →
Auto Prices Ride May Moderation
Flat ATPs and asking prices clocked in below long-term averages for the month, though some segments saw significant price gains, reported Cox Automotive.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Sets Growth Strategy, Structural Transformation
The Japanese automaker aims to 'strengthen products and technologies that embody its brand identity,' focus on its strongest markets and expand value-chain businesses 'that leverage its unique strengths.'
Read More →
Affordable, Safe Cars for Teen Drivers
Families looking to balance affordability and safety in vehicles for their teen drivers can look to the updated list of recommended vehicles by IIHS and Consumer Reports.
Read More →
Auto Dealers Feel Better But Not Great
A second-quarter Cox Automotive poll of franchised retailers and independents found better views of the current market after a good spring but anticipation of third-quarter storminess.
Read More →
Holman Opens Porsche Dealership in Miami
The North Miami store features the brand’s signature Destination Porsche design concept, combining contemporary architecture and technology to create what the auto group calls an ultra-luxury experience.
Read More →
Chicago to Gain Cadillac Rooftop in 2027
The two-story Cadillac dealership is being constructed at the former Lincoln Yards site, owned and operated by Canada-based Jack Carter Auto Group.
Read More →
Mid-Atlantic Ford Store Has New Owner
A growing Maryland automotive group is only the 93-year-old dealership’s third owner after its longtime proprietors retired.
Read More →
Porsche Dealership Breaks Ground in Illinois
Barrington Porsche will be the new location for Murgado Automotive Group’s existing Porsche dealership currently in the Motor Werks of Barrington auto mall.
Read More →