FCA Eliminating Suspect Takata Airbag Inflators From Production
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will finally cease using non-desiccated ammonium-nitrate Takata airbag inflators in its North American production vehicles.
North American production with the suspect inflators will stop by next week while global production is expected to end by mid-September, the automaker announced. According to FCA, most inflators used in its vehicles have alternate propellants while others use desiccant-enhanced ammonium nitrate. The 2016 Jeep Wrangler’s passenger-side inflator is the final FCA US airbag component to migrate from a non-desiccated ammonium-nitrate design and the company is currently unaware of any failures involving the particular inflator.
Tests have also been conducted on nearly 6,300 older versions of the component, with many of them subjected to potentially problematic environmental conditions. The company found that they all performed as intended.
SEE ALSO: Takata Airbag Recall Expanded to Include Another 35-40M Vehicles
Vehicles that are currently unsold and equipped with those inflators will be identified to customers, and they will be advised that the vehicles will be recalled in the future. They are currently not subject to recall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has specified a recall schedule for vehicles equipped with the faulty inflators, following an investigation that determined non-desiccated ammonium-nitrate may degrade after several years of exposure to high absolute humidity, causing those inflators to deploy with excessive force.
The faulty Takata airbag inflators have caused the recall of millions of vehicles worldwide.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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