agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

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.

July 11, 2023
Death Prompts Do-Not-Drive Warning for Certain Dodge Rams

The airbags can degrade over time, particularly in hot, humid climates, causing the inflators to rupture when deployed and emit sharp debris.

IMAGE: Stellantis

1 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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 Industry

Photo of MINI nameplate on the hood of a white MINI Cooper
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 23, 2026

Autos More Appealing

Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.

Read More →
red car parked in front of a sunset, The Used Market Divide, Agent Entrepreneur
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 23, 2026

Used EVs Defy Overall Market

While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.

Read More →
Photo of a retriever dog looking out of an open SUV window with a yellow Peugeot headrest on the top of the window below it
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 16, 2026

Gone to the Dogs

A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Aerial shot of a car dealership
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 13, 2026

OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution

Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.

Read More →
Foreign Cars Italia dealership store in front of sunset
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 2, 2026

Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands

A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.

Read More →
inside of car, person with hands on black steering wheel
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJuly 2, 2026

Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars

At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman's hands holding an wallet empty of cash
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 1, 2026

Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt

Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.

Read More →
Rob Mancuso sitting in a chair on stage
Industryby Hannah MitchellJuly 1, 2026

Agent Advocate

Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.

Read More →
Photo of a touchscreen on a car's dashboard
Industryby Hannah MitchellJune 25, 2026

Driving Under Distraction

Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
split background green and blue. 2019 to 2025 with car going from starting location to end point. $37,310 and $48,402. Agent Entrepreneur logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceJune 25, 2026

Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past

More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.

Read More →
Ad Loading...