Fiat Chrysler to Phase Out Takata Airbag Inflators

The US arm of the Italian automaker, said that it will stop using Takata's non-dessicated ammonium-nitrate inflators in vehicles produced in North America by next week, and in global production by mid-September. Though reserach shows that these airbags are prone to eruptions that send shrapnel into vehicle occupants, it was recently reported that at least four automakers in the United States continued to install these inflators in new cars.

Those particular inflators were still being used because of a shortage of dessicated inflator replacements. The affected automakers will still have to recall those cars and replace the high-risk inflators when dessicated inflators become available.

Automakers stressed that non-dessicated inflators remain safe while still new. The US authorities, on the other hand, say those deflators degrade over several years and become prone to eruption in high-heat and high-humidity environments.

Fiat, in a statement, said, "Most inflators used in FCA U.S. vehicles employ alternate propellants. Others use desiccant-enhanced ammonium nitrate. Neither is associated with any inflator ruptures of the kind attributed to certain non-desiccated ammonium-nitrate inflators."

It added, "Unsold vehicles that are so-equipped will be identified for customers. These customers will also be advised that the vehicles will be recalled in the future. They are not currently subject to recall."

Other than FCA, the congressional report also identified Toyota, Volkswagen, and Mitsubishi.

(With inputs from AFP)