Stellantis Issues Do-Not-Drive Order for 2003 Dodge Ram 1500

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Tuesday that Stellantis issued a do-not-drive order for roughly 84,000 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks that have yet to receive repairs to address deadly Takata airbags.

The order comes off the heels of a death caused by a passenger-side inflator in a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, the first to occur in this model, and the 26th death directly linked to a faulty Takata airbag.

The truck was one of 385,686 Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 models first recalled in 2015 over the massive Takata scandal.

“The older a defective Takata airbag inflator gets, the more dangerous it becomes," acting administrator Ann Carlson said in a statement. "Please, get your airbag replaced now for your sake, and for the sake of those who love you. Don’t put yourself or someone you love at risk of dying or being seriously injured because of a defective, recalled Takata airbag. These repairs are absolutely free and could save your life.”

This isn't the first time the NHTSA has issued a do-not-drive order for older cars previously recalled for dangerous Takata airbags. It announced a similar order for roughly 90,000 BMWs from the early aughts back in May 2023.

If you think your truck might be one of the vehicles affected, head on over to NHTSA's site and punch in your VIN.

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