The recall is for 2003 and 2004 year model Vipers, and may cause the air bags to deploy while the car is being operated. Photo: Chrysler

Have you ever been in a car when the air bags deployed? If you have, then you know what a not-so-pleasurable experience it is – and even if you haven’t it’s not really all that hard to imagine. Just picture that you’re driving along in your auto, when out of nowhere a shotgun goes off somewhere right in front of you as you’re being simultaneously being punched in the face by a canvas bag moving at what seems to be the speed of light. It’s all over just as quick as it starts. You’re left dazed, sitting in a cloud of powder and smoke, wondering what in the world just happened as you take start to take inventory of your bumps and bruises. Not fun. Not fun at all.  

Usually the only time you can expect to get hit with deploying air bag is during a car wreck, but Chrysler has just issued a recall on over 4,200 Dodge Vipers world-wide for an issue with their air bag systems that is causing them to deploy while the cars are just driving down the road. According to Consumer Affairs, the recall is for 2003 and 2004 year model Vipers manufactured between November 1^st , 2001 and June 30^th, 2004. The problem stems from a faulty component inside the air bag control module. If the component fails, the air bags will deploy at random. Needless to say, this is a serious problem that could cause a wreck, injuries, or even worse.

Chrysler has begun the process of notifying owners, and will be fixing the problem for free. Owners can contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753 if they think their Viper might be included in the recall.