HOUSTON – A U.S automaker is urging owners of about 225,000 older Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles to stop driving them immediately because of dangerous, unrepaired “Takata” airbag inflators.
The company, part of Stellantis, said the vehicles were previously recalled between model years 2003 and 2016 but have not yet been fixed, putting drivers and passengers at risk of serious injury or death if the airbags deploy.
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The danger is especially concerning in hot and humid areas, like Houston. FCA US, the auto company who issued the notice, estimates at least 19,000 affected vehicles are on the road in the Houston area and about 87,000 across Texas.
Owners began receiving “stop‑drive” notices on Feb. 9, 2026. But the automaker warns some people may not have been reached if their contact information is out of date.
Repairs are free at authorized dealers, and FCA US says it is offering additional help, including free towing and mobile repair in some cases. The company says more than 6.6 million Takata inflators have already been replaced in its vehicles over the past decade.
Defective Takata inflators can degrade over time. In a crash, they can rupture when the airbag deploys, sending metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
FCA US is asking all owners to check whether their vehicle is under the stop‑drive directive or any open recall by visiting checktoprotect.org and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Owners can also call 833‑585‑0144 to discuss free repair options.
The new warning comes ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, which begins next week.