In a recent announcement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has advised the owners of nearly 84,000 older Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in the United States to immediately stop driving them. This warning comes as these vehicles are equipped with Takata air bags that were recalled in 2020 yet remain unrepaired.

According to CNN, the NHTSA issued the directive after Nissan's own cautionary statement on Wednesday, which applied to Nissan Sentras manufactured between 2002-2006, Nissan Pathfinders produced between 2002-2004, and Infiniti QX4s manufactured between 2002-2003. The Takata air bag recall holds the record for being the largest automotive safety recall ever recorded, with over 100 million faulty air bag inflators recalled worldwide during the past decade. The defect in these inflators can cause them to explode, leading to severe injuries or fatalities, even in low-impact collisions.

Unfortunately, the Associated Press (AP) reports that approximately 9% of the affected vehicles have still not undergone the necessary repairs. Since 2009, there have been over 30 reported deaths globally due to these defective air bags, with 27 of them occurring in the US alone.

To assist owners in determining if their vehicles are included in the Takata recall, the AP has provided a comprehensive guide. Nissan dealerships are taking proactive measures to address the issue by offering free towing services or mobile repair options. Additionally, some dealerships are providing loaner vehicles to affected customers.

It is important to note that other automakers, including Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota, Stellantis, and Mazda, have previously issued similar "do not drive" warnings pertaining to the Takata air bag recall.

Owners of the affected Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are strongly urged to check if their cars are subject to the recall and to take immediate action to ensure the necessary repairs are made. Safety should always remain a top priority to prevent any potential harm that may arise from these defective air bags.

As developments occur, we will provide updates on this ongoing safety concern.