Orlando, Florida – The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning to owners of nearly 84,000 older Nissan vehicles with unrepaired Takata airbags, urging them to stop driving their cars immediately due to safety concerns. Specifically, the NHTSA highlighted models such as the 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 as vehicles that pose a risk.

Takata airbags have been at the center of the largest auto safety recall in history, with over 100 million inflators being recalled globally, including 7 million in the US alone. These airbags have been linked to over 30 deaths worldwide, with more than 400 injuries reported since 2009. The issue stems from a propellant within the airbags that can degrade over time, leading to potential explosions upon deployment.

Various automakers, including Nissan, have been urging drivers of affected vehicles to heed the warnings and get their airbags replaced. The NHTSA emphasized the severity of the issue, stating that even minor accidents could result in fatalities or life-altering injuries due to exploding Takata airbags.

In light of the ongoing safety concerns, automakers like Toyota and Stellantis have also issued similar warnings to owners of older vehicles with Takata airbags, advising them to take immediate action to address the issue. Toyota, for instance, directed owners of certain 2003-2005 models to get their airbags repaired promptly to prevent any potential hazards.

The urgency surrounding the Takata airbag recall serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing safety issues promptly in the automotive industry. With ongoing efforts to protect consumers and prevent further tragedies, manufacturers and regulatory agencies continue to work together to mitigate risks associated with defective airbags.