Exploding Airbags Trigger ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning for Some Nissan, Infiniti Vehicles

Nearly 84,000 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles equipped with Takata airbags were issued a “Do Not Drive” warning until a repair is completed and the airbags are replaced, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced.

If the affected airbags deploy, they may propel sharp metal fragments that can cause serious injury or death, Nissan said in a statement.

Twenty-seven people have been killed and at least 400 people injured from Takata airbags, the NHTSA reported.

“Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries,” the announcement said. “Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors.”

Anyone with these vehicles should check to see if their vehicle has a recalled airbag:

• 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
• 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
• 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4

Advice to drivers

To find out whether your vehicle is affected, check your license plate or 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) with NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool.

If your vehicle is affected, contact the dealership to schedule a free repair as soon as possible and follow safety warnings from the manufacturer. Both auto brands offer free towing and mobile repair, and in select locations, loaner vehicles may be provided.

The brands said the “Do Not Drive” warning is the most recent effort in an extensive, multiyear campaign to communicate the risk of driving vehicles with defective Takata inflators and to urge drivers to complete the free recall repair.

Anyone with questions or concerns can call Nissan customer service at 800-NISSAN-1 or 800-662-6200 to reach an Infiniti representative.

Concerns over dangerous malfunctions triggered the largest auto recall in U.S. history, involving at least 67 million Takata inflators, according to the Associated Press. The U.S. government says many remain unrepaired. Globally, about 100 million inflators have been recalled, which led to Takata’s bankruptcy.