Recall Roundup: Air Bag Recall Storm Gains Strength, Affects Multiple Automakers

During the past week, approximately 6.8 million vehicles of various makes and models, ranging from the 2002 to 2015 model year, were recalled by their manufacturers. The vast majority of these recalls concern the driver's frontal air bag--made by air bag manufacturer Takata--and in most cases these recalls supersede previous recalls. Details for each recall are below, in alphabetical order by vehicle brand.

For updates on the status of the Takata air bag recall and other recalls, visit www.SaferCar.gov/RecallsSpotlight.

BMW: Various 2002-2006 Vehicles

BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling a total of 420,661 vehicles, including model-year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons; 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes; 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons; and 2003-2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Note that the 5 Series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sport steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion, which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417, and may refer to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 15V318000. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado

2015 GMC Canyon

General Motors (GM) is recalling 40 model-year 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickups manufactured September 15, 2014, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 GMC Canyon pickups manufactured October 3, 2014, to December 9, 2014. The affected vehicles have a front driver air bag inflator that may be misaligned to the air bag module backplate. This can cause the inflator to separate from the backplate during a deployment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. Even if the inflator does not rupture, the air bag may fail to properly inflate or detach from the steering wheel, increasing the risk of injury to the driver.

GM has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the driver air bag module inflator for proper alignment, replacing the air bag, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15037; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V157000.

2014 Chevrolet Impala

GM is recalling 126 model-year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured March 22, 2013, to May 22, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract, causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135: Light Vehicle Brake Systems. Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

GM has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module with new software at no charge. The recall began on May 6, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15259; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V202000. Note: The vehicles covered by this campaign were previously remedied incorrectly under campaigns 14V541 or 15V085.

2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado HD

2007-2008 GMC Sierra HD

GM is recalling 330,198 model-year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger-side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15438; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V324000.

Chrysler: Various 2004-2011 Vehicles

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US (Chrysler) is recalling 4,066,732 vehicles, including model-year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500; 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango; 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500; 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500; 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500 and 5500; 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen; 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, SRT8, Dodge Charger and Magnum; 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota; and 2006-2010 Mitsubishi Raider. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. All owners may refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V313000. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver's frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 & 3500

Chrysler is recalling 438,156 model-year 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured January 1, 2002, to July 25, 2003 to address a safety defect in the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger-side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger-side frontal air bag. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R26; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V312000. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V770.

2005-2006 Ford GT

2005-2014 Ford Mustang

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling 1,019,081 model-year 2005-2014 Mustang vehicles manufactured April 6, 2004, to June 21, 2014, and 2005-2006 GT vehicles manufactured February 20, 2004, to September 22, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver-side air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 13, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S21; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V319000. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V802 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver-side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.

2004-2006 Ford Ranger

Ford is recalling 361,523 model-year 2004-2006 Ranger trucks manufactured March 24, 2003, to May 4, 2006. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger-side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 13, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S22; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V322000. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V-787.

2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer, Lancer Evolution

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

Mitsubishi Motors North America (Mitsubishi) is recalling 82,784 model-year 2004-2006 Lancer vehicles manufactured August 4, 2003, to August 28, 2006 and Lancer Evolution vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to September 1, 2006; and 2004 Lancer Sportback vehicles manufactured August 4, 2003, to January 23, 2004. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger-side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-012; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V321000. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V752 in its entirety.

2005 Saab 9-2X

2004-2005 Subaru Impreza

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling approximately 81,100 model-year 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, and 2005 Saab 9-2X vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger-side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. All owners may refer to NHTSA campaign number 15V323000. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 14V-763 in that model-year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model-year 2005 Saab 9-2X vehicles are now only part of this campaign.