Dodge vehicles were included in the nationwide exploding Takata airbag inflator recall after investigators discovered that certain inflators could rupture during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the vehicle cabin. These failures are fundamentally different from ordinary airbag injuries. Instead of inflating normally, a defective Takata inflator can explode, turning the metal housing into shrapnel.
The Takata recall became the largest automotive safety recall in U.S. history. Millions of vehicles were affected, including several Dodge models manufactured between the early 2000s and mid-2010s.
If you or a family member were injured when a Dodge airbag deployed violently, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a Takata airbag injury lawsuit.
Dodge Models Included in the Takata Recall
The following Dodge vehicles were subject to Takata airbag recall campaigns:
- Dodge Charger – 2006–2015
- Dodge Challenger – 2008–2014
- Dodge Dakota – 2005–2011
- Dodge Durango – 2004–2009
- Dodge Magnum – 2005–2008
- Dodge Ram (before Ram became a separate brand) – 2003–2010
- Dodge Sprinter – certain early model years
These vehicles were equipped with Takata inflators that used ammonium nitrate propellant without a drying agent. Over time, exposure to heat and humidity can cause this chemical compound to degrade and become unstable.
When deployment occurs during a crash, the inflator may over-pressurize and rupture instead of inflating normally. In a rupture event, the metal inflator housing can fragment and send high-velocity metal pieces toward the driver or passenger.
Dodge Ram Takata Airbag Recall (2003–2010 Ram 1500, 2500 & 3500 Exploding Airbag Risk)
The Dodge Ram Takata airbag recall affects certain Dodge Ram trucks. The Dodge Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram 3500 pickup trucks manufactured between 2003 and 2010, before Ram became a standalone brand. These full-size trucks were equipped with Takata inflators later identified as defective and included in nationwide recall campaigns involving driver-side and passenger-side airbags.
Because Dodge Ram trucks are frequently used for commercial, fleet, ranch, and long-term personal service, many vehicles from these affected years remain on the road. Trucks often pass through multiple owners, private-party sales, auctions, and rural transfers, increasing the likelihood that some vehicles still have an open Takata airbag recall. When recall notices are missed or repairs are delayed, the original inflator may remain installed for years.
If a defective Takata inflator has not been replaced, airbag deployment during a crash may cause the metal inflator housing to rupture instead of venting normally. In an exploding airbag event, metal shrapnel like fragments can be propelled toward the driver or front-seat passenger at high velocity. Reported injuries associated with Dodge Ram Takata inflator ruptures include penetrating facial wounds, severe eye injuries, neck and throat trauma, arterial damage, and traumatic brain injury. These injuries are consistent with shrapnel-type product failure rather than standard airbag deployment.
Owners of 2003–2010 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks should confirm whether their vehicle’s Takata inflator has been replaced, as unrepaired airbags may pose an ongoing risk every time the vehicle is driven.
Dodge Charger Takata Airbag Recall (2006–2015)
The Dodge Charger represents one of the largest Dodge vehicle groups affected by the Takata recall. Chargers manufactured between 2006 and 2015 were equipped with inflators later identified as potentially defective.
Because the Charger remains widely driven, including in fleet and law enforcement use, some vehicles may still have open recall repairs. If the inflator has not been replaced, deployment during a crash may result in rupture. Many Dodge Charger vehicles may still have open Takata airbag recalls due to secondary-market sales, missed recall notices, outdated registration records, and long-term fleet use. Chargers frequently pass through multiple owners, and recall notifications do not always reach the current driver. As a result, some vehicles may still contain unrepaired Takata inflators. An unreplaced inflator poses an ongoing risk every time the vehicle is driven.
When a Takata inflator ruptures inside a Dodge Charger, metal fragments can strike the driver’s face, the passenger’s eyes, the neck and throat, or the upper chest. Victims of these ruptures have suffered permanent vision loss, deep facial lacerations, penetrating trauma, and other catastrophic injuries that differ dramatically from ordinary airbag deployment injuries. Catastrophic injuries caused by defective Takata inflators have led many victims to pursue compensation through a Dodge Charger Airbag Injury Lawsuit, particularly when a ruptured inflator sends metal shrapnel into the vehicle cabin and causes permanent eye injuries, penetrating trauma, or other life-altering harm.
Dodge Challenger Takata Airbag Recall (2008–2014)
The Dodge Challenger Takata recall includes certain vehicles manufactured between 2008 and 2014. Although many inflators have been replaced, older Challengers that have passed through multiple owners may still contain unrepaired airbags. The Challenger is frequently driven as a performance vehicle, and in higher-speed crashes, airbag deployment forces may be greater, potentially increasing the severity of an inflator rupture.
Many recall campaigns involving the Challenger affected passenger-side inflators, placing front-seat passengers at particular risk. In a rupture event, metal fragments may penetrate the face, eyes, neck, or upper torso, resulting in catastrophic injuries rather than routine airbag contact injuries.
Dodge Dakota Takata Airbag Recall (2005–2011)
The Dodge Dakota Takata airbag recall affects pickup trucks manufactured between 2005 and 2011. Dakota trucks are commonly used as work vehicles and often remain in service far longer than passenger sedans. Because these pickups are frequently sold through private-party transactions, small dealerships, auctions, or rural markets, recall completion rates may lag behind newer vehicles that remain within franchise dealer networks. As ownership changes over time, recall notices may not reach the current driver, leaving some Dakota trucks on the road with open and unrepaired Takata inflators.
Long-term commercial use, rural ownership transfers, private-party sales, and delayed recall responses all contribute to ongoing recall gaps. Unlike newer vehicles that receive regular dealership servicing, older Dodge Dakota trucks may not return to authorized service centers where recall repairs are performed. An unrepaired Takata inflator in a Dodge Dakota can rupture even in a moderate crash, potentially sending metal fragments into the cabin and causing severe or life-threatening injuries.
Dodge Durango Takata Airbag Recall (2004–2009)
The Dodge Durango Takata recall affects SUVs manufactured between 2004 and 2009. SUVs like the Durango often remain in service longer than many passenger sedans, meaning a number of older vehicles may still be operating with open recall repairs. Because these vehicles are frequently resold or retained for long-term family use, some owners may be unaware that the Takata inflator was never replaced. As long as the original inflator remains installed, the risk of rupture persists every time the vehicle is driven.
Vehicles operated in warm, humid climates face elevated danger because prolonged moisture exposure accelerates ammonium nitrate propellant degradation inside the inflator. In SUV cabins, seating height and occupant proximity to the airbag module may increase the likelihood that metal fragments strike the head, face, or neck if a rupture occurs. When a Takata inflator explodes inside a Dodge Durango, the resulting fragment trajectory can cause penetrating injuries rather than the minor contact injuries typically associated with airbag deployment.
Dodge Magnum Takata Airbag Recall (2005–2008)
The Dodge Magnum Takata airbag recall affects model years 2005 through 2008. Although the Magnum is no longer in production, many vehicles remain in use and may still contain unrepaired Takata inflators, particularly if they have passed through multiple owners since the original recall notices were issued. Because the Magnum shared platform and component architecture with the Dodge Charger, similar inflator modules were installed during production.
If the inflator has not been replaced, it may rupture during airbag deployment, causing the metal housing to fragment and send shrapnel toward the driver or passenger. Such rupture events have been associated with severe facial trauma, penetrating neck injuries, permanent vision loss, and other catastrophic harm that differs significantly from ordinary airbag deployment injuries.
Why Takata Airbags Can Explode
The defect in Takata airbags involves the use of ammonium nitrate propellant inside the inflator module. Over time, particularly in hot and humid climates, this chemical compound can degrade. Without a desiccant (drying agent) to stabilize the propellant, repeated exposure to heat and moisture can cause it to become unstable.
When a crash triggers deployment:
- The inflator ignites to produce gas.
- Gas pressure builds rapidly inside the sealed metal housing.
- If the propellant burns too aggressively, internal pressure can exceed design limits.
- The inflator housing may rupture instead of venting safely.
- Metal fragments can be propelled into the passenger compartment at high velocity.
In these rupture events, the airbag does not simply inflate — the inflator itself can explode. The resulting injuries are often consistent with penetrating or shrapnel-type trauma rather than ordinary airbag deployment injuries. More detailed information about the engineering failure and recall history is available on our page explaining Takata airbag defects and injuries. Vehicle owners can determine whether their specific vehicle has an open recall by entering the VIN into the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. This federal database allows drivers to check for outstanding safety recalls tied to their vehicle identification number.
In some high-risk cases, regulators have issued urgent warnings advising owners not to operate certain vehicles until repairs are completed. Those vehicles are identified on the Takata Do Not Drive warnings list which includes models considered to present an elevated risk of inflator rupture.
When an airbag inflator ruptures, the resulting injuries are not caused by the crash alone, but by a defective safety component that failed during deployment. In these situations, liability may extend beyond the collision itself and into the realm of product defect and recall-related responsibility. Victims of Takata inflator ruptures may have legal rights separate from any standard auto accident claim.
Injuries Linked to Dodge Takata Airbag Explosions
Unlike minor burns or abrasions typically associated with airbags, Takata inflator ruptures have been linked to catastrophic, penetrating injuries caused by exploding metal components inside the vehicle cabin. Victims often suffer trauma more consistent with shrapnel wounds than standard restraint-system deployment injuries, including:.
- Blindness and severe eye trauma
- Deep facial lacerations
- Neck artery injuries
- Penetrating chest wounds
- Traumatic brain injury
- Wrongful death
Because these injuries are caused by defective product failure rather than simple crash force, cases often involve product liability claims. Individuals injured in Dodge vehicles may be entitled to pursue compensation through a Takata inflator rupture injury claim.
What To Do If a Dodge Airbag Exploded
If a Dodge airbag deployed violently and caused injury, immediate action may help preserve critical evidence. Takata inflator rupture cases often depend on physical components and crash documentation that can be lost quickly if the vehicle is repaired, salvaged, or destroyed.
- Preserve the vehicle, if possible, don’t let it get sold or salvaged
- Do not discard the airbag module, torn clothing or interior damage
- Photograph the interior and visible injuries
- Obtain crash reports and medical records
- Speak with an attorney experienced in Takata litigation ASAP
Speak With a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer
Takata airbag cases require investigation into engineering defects, recall history, and inflator design. These are not ordinary car accident cases. Takata airbag lawyer, David P. Willis has been Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law since 1988, a distinction held by less than 2% of Texas attorneys. For more than four decades, his practice has focused on catastrophic injury and defective product litigation.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Dodge vehicle due to a violent airbag deployment, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a Takata airbag injury lawsuit. Our firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. We offer a free, confidential case review to evaluate your potential claim and answer your questions.
Call 1-866-AIRBAGS to speak with our office and discuss your legal options today.