Death Prompts Do-Not-Drive Warning for Certain Dodge Rams
Exploding Takata airbag leads to 26th US death as owners of 2003 Ram models urged to get them repaired.

The airbags can degrade over time, particularly in hot, humid climates, causing the inflators to rupture when deployed and emit sharp debris.
IMAGE: Stellantis
A May death attributed to an exploding Takata airbag has led the Stellantis automaker to issue a do-not-drive warning to some 29,000 owners of 2003 Dodge Ram pickups.
It’s the 26th U.S. death connected to Takata airbag ruptures and the first involving a passenger-side inflator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. It’s also the first such fatality in a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, it said.
The airbags in question can degrade over time, particularly in hot, humid climates, causing the inflators to rupture when deployed and emit sharp debris, Stellantis says.
The model is among the more than 385,000 that were recalled in 2015, and the NHTSA estimates that about 84,000 of those haven’t been repaired. It says occupants of the models “are at grave risk of serious injury or death” and urges owners not to drive them until their air bags are replaced, though it implores all vehicle owners to check whether their models fall under Takata airbag recalls and to get them repaired right away if they do. The airbag replacements are free of charge through the manufacturer’s local dealer.
“The older a defective Takata air bag inflator gets, the more dangerous it becomes,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson in a statement.
LEARN MORE: Exploding Airbag Issue Much Bigger Than Thought
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →