If you suspect your vehicle could be included, it is important to look up the VIN periodically, because it may take a few weeks for a manufacturer to enter your vehicle's number into the system after a recall is announced.
DETROIT, MI - On Tuesday auto parts supplier Takata Corp. announced it was recalling 33.8 million vehicles in the U.S. for airbags that could explode and send metal pieces flying at drivers and passengers.
The faulty driver- and passenger-side airbags have been linked to at least six deaths, including five in the U.S., and more than 100 injuries.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration also said Tuesday it is awaiting for auto manufacturers to update their lists of affected vehicles, but in the meantime motorists can look up their vehicle identification number, or VIN, here at the safercar.gov website.
Ten automakers are affected, with Honda dominating the list. Most of the vehicle model years are in the early to mid 2000s.
We also have NHTSA's latest list of vehicles in the U.S. affected by the recall below, although NHTSA spokesman told us Friday it is a "moving target." We will be updating the list as soon as we receive more information.
If you suspect your vehicle could be included, it is important to look up the VIN periodically, because it may take a few weeks for a manufacturer to enter your vehicle's number into the system after a recall is announced. If your vehicle is included, contact the manufacturer, e.g. Honda, Toyota or Chrysler, for guidance on getting your vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask them in the comments section below.
Investigations by automakers, Takata and regulators have been searching for the root cause of the defective airbags. So far, the consensus is that the chemical propellant that ignites the airbag inflators can be damaged by moisture over time in humid environments. Once damaged, the propellant becomes explosive.
Takata had initially only recalled vehicles in areas of high absolute humidity in the U.S. NHTSA had been leveling a $14,000-per-day fine since February against Takata, which had insisted that an expanded recall in the U.S. was unnecessary.
That changed Tuesday. Takata's is now considered the largest automotive recall in American history.
Here is the latest list of affected vehicles:
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
ACURA / CL 2003
ACURA / MDX 2003-2006
ACURA / RL 2005
ACURA / TL 2002-2003
BMW / 3 SERIES 2002
BMW / 325CI 2004-2006
BMW / 325I 2004-2006
BMW / 325XI 2004-2005
BMW / 330CI 2004-2006
BMW / 330I 2004-2006
BMW / 330XI 2004-2005
BMW / M3 2004-2006
CHRYSLER / 300 2005-2007
CHRYSLER / 300C 2005-2007
CHRYSLER / ASPEN 2007
CHRYSLER / SRT8 2005-2007
DODGE / CHARGER 2005-2007
DODGE / DAKOTA 2005-2007
DODGE / DURANGO 2004-2007
DODGE / MAGNUM 2005-2007
DODGE / RAM 1500 2003-2007
DODGE / RAM 2500 2003-2007
DODGE / RAM 3500 2003-2007
FORD / GT 2005-2006
FORD / MUSTANG 2005-2008
FORD / RANGER 2004-2005
HONDA / ACCORD 2001-2007
HONDA / CIVIC 2001-2005
HONDA / CIVIC HYBRID 2003-2005
HONDA / CR-V 2002-2006
HONDA / ELEMENT 2003-2011
HONDA / ODYSSEY 2002-2004
HONDA / PILOT 2003-2007
HONDA / RIDGELINE 2006
INFINITI / FX35 2003-2005
INFINITI / FX45 2003-2005
INFINITI / I35 2003-2004
INFINITI / M35 2006
INFINITI / M45 2006
LEXUS / SC 2002-2005
MAZDA / B-SERIES TRUCK 2004-2005
MAZDA / MAZDA6 2003-2008
MAZDA / MAZDASPEED6 2006-2007
MAZDA / MPV 2004-2005
MAZDA / RX-8 2004-2008
MITSUBISHI / LANCER 2004-2005
MITSUBISHI / RAIDER 2006-2007
NISSAN / PATHFINDER 2003-2004
NISSAN / SENTRA 2004-2006
PONTIAC / VIBE 2003-2005
SAAB / 9-2X 2005
SUBARU / BAJA 2003-2005
SUBARU / IMPREZA 2003-2005
SUBARU / LEGACY 2003-2005
SUBARU / OUTBACK 2003-2005
TOYOTA / COROLLA 2002-2005
TOYOTA / COROLLA MATRIX 2003-2005
TOYOTA / SEQUOIA 2002-2005
TOYOTA / TUNDRA 2003-2005
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter