Another 1.7M Vehicles Recalled for Takata Air Bags

Six automakers are recalling an estimated 1.7 million vehicles, including Sprinter vans, for faulty Takata air bag inflators that can be fatal when they fracture and spray shrapnel into drivers and passengers.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

February 11, 2019

Another 1.7M Vehicles Recalled for Takata Air Bags — Another round of Takata recalls have affected Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans from 2014 to 2017.
Photo via Alexauto321/Wikimedia.

2 min to read

Six automakers are recalling an estimated 1.7 million vehicles for faulty Takata air bag inflators that can be fatal when they fracture and spray shrapnel into drivers and passengers, reports the Associated Press.

This latest action includes Daimler's Sprinter vans, Subaru, Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes and Ferrari models. It's part of the largest and most complex series of automotive recalls in U.S. history. While approximately 10 million inflators are being recalled in 2019 alone, as many as 70 million will be recalled by the close of the safety action late next year, reports AP.

The recalls began in 2001 and are being phased in over time and managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The latest round includes cars, trucks, SUVs and commercial vans and covers both driver- and passenger-side front air bag inflators.

On the commercial side, Daimler Vans USA is recalling 159,689 vans. These include approximately 71,301 2015-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles for faulty driver frontal air bag inflators. In addition, the manufacturer is recalling an estimated 88,388 2014-2017 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vehicles for flawed passenger frontal air bag inflators.

Other vehicles in this latest recall series include:

Subaru — 826,144 2010-2014 Forester, Legacy, and Outback crossovers
Mercedes-Benz — 288,779 2010-2017 vehicles
Volkswagen — 119,934 2015-2017 Audi and Passat models
BMW — 266,044 vehicles from 2000-2004 and 2015-2017 model years
Tesla — 68,763 2014-2016 Model S luxury sedans
Ferrari — 11,176 2014-2018 vehicles of various models

To date, at least 23 people worldwide have been killed due to the faulty Takata air bag inflators, reports AP.

As of December, automakers have recalled 50.36 million inflators and replaced 27.2 million of them. According to the NHTSA website, more than 23 million remain unaccounted for and need to be replaced, notes the report.

Topics:Air Bags Recalls Takata Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Safety

More Safety

A person with hands on the steering wheel driving

Safety•by Judie Nuskey•May 15, 2026

The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle

Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.

Hail covers the windshield and hood of a black vehicle with text overlay about FLASH Weather AI’s new hail prediction model.

Safety•by News/Media Release•May 13, 2026

FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting

FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.

Coca-Cola fleet executive smiling beside graphic text reading “Rolling Dollar Signs” about the company’s trucking and fleet strategy.

Safety•by Chris Brown•May 12, 2026

How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk

As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.

Two trucking industry workers talk in front of semi-trucks beside text reading, “The issue isn’t lack of safety technology — it’s lack of alignment.”

Safety•May 12, 2026

How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety

Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.

pictures of a lock with the words Cybersecurity 101

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•May 11, 2026

Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors

From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.

Chris Brown sits across from safety experft at Lifesaver mobile in an interview about distracted driving and phone use tech.

Safety•by Chris Brown•May 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 15, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2

As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.

Safety•by Jeanny Roa•April 11, 2026

Automotive Fleet Magazine