The past two years the automotive industry has been rocked by recall scandals that have seen record numbers of vehicles called in for service and repairs. GM kicked things off with the ignition switch fiasco that has created doubts about the new leadership, while the exploding Takata airbag issue has led to the recall of more than 43 million vehicles from just about every major automaker, and counting.
The latest vehicle to be added to that list is none other than the Dodge Challenger, specifically model year 2008 to 2010 Challengers built between September of 2007 and October of 2010, reports Automotive News. These early adopters have been asked to bring their cars into the nearest Chrysler dealership as soon as possible to get these potentially fatal flaw fixed. The airbags can turn deadly due to “moisture intrusion”, weakening key components that turn a life-saving device into one that spews metal shrapnel upon deployment. 8 deaths have been linked to Takata airbags, as well as dozens of injuries.
Chrysler had already issues a recall for a number of vehicles it built between 2004 and 2011 with the affected airbags, but for whatever reason the 2008-10 Challengers were left out. The recall affects 88,346 Challengers, including a number of first-edition SRT models that are more likely gathering dust in car collections than actually being driven on the road. Unfortunately for FCA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association is considering levying fines against the automaker for its “pattern” of drawn-out recall notices, or it may simply force FCA to buy back defective vehicles.
If you’re an early Challenger owner, don’t delay…but don’t drive too fast either. Your life could literally depend on it.