Recall 18V021 covers 328,177 2009-2013 Dodge vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Do not drive. Free repair at a franchised Dodge dealer.
An air bag inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, with a risk of serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the recall repair is complete. If it must move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Dodge dealer.
Dodge is recalling 328,177 2009-2013 vehicles, including Dakota, Wrangler, Charger, Challenger, and 300 models, because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode after long-term humidity and temperature cycling. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. Do not drive an included vehicle until a Dodge dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator in the 2009-2013 Dodge Dakota, Wrangler, Durango, Aspen, Charger, 300, Challenger, 3500, 4500, 5500, and 2500 is the metal gas generator inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for passenger air bag deployment, the inflator is supposed to burn propellant in a controlled way and fill the air bag before the passenger moves forward.
On affected vehicles, the Takata non-desiccated PSAN inflator can degrade after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature cycling. Non-desiccated means the inflator lacks the drying material used in the remedy part. Once the propellant degrades, a deployment can happen with too much internal pressure, causing the inflator to explode instead of opening in the intended controlled sequence.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag warning light is not listed as an advance symptom for this defect, so the VIN decides whether the inflator is included.
Who's affected?
Covers passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and Jeep models across the 2009-2013 model years, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator.
| 2009 Dodge Dakota | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2009 Jeep Wrangler | front air bag |
| 2010 Jeep Wrangler | front air bag |
| 2011 Jeep Wrangler | front air bag |
| 2012 Jeep Wrangler | front air bag |
| 2013 Jeep Wrangler | front air bag |
| 2009 Dodge Durango | front air bag |
| 2009 Chrysler Aspen | front air bag |
| 2009 Dodge Charger | front air bag |
| 2010 Dodge Charger | front air bag |
| 2009 Chrysler 300 | front air bag |
| 2010 Chrysler 300 | front air bag |
| 2010 Dodge Challenger | front air bag |
| 2010 Dodge Dakota | front air bag |
| 2011 Dodge Dakota | front air bag |
| 2009 Dodge Challenger | front air bag |
| 2011 Chrysler 300 | front air bag |
| 2011 Dodge Charger | front air bag |
| 2011 Dodge Challenger | front air bag |
| 2012 Dodge Charger | front air bag |
| 2012 Dodge Challenger | front air bag |
| 2013 Dodge Charger | front air bag |
| 2013 Dodge Challenger | front air bag |
| 2010 Ram 3500 | front air bag |
| 2010 Ram 4500 | front air bag |
| 2010 Ram 5500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Ram 3500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Ram 4500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Ram 5500 | front air bag |
| 2009 Ram 2500 | front air bag |
| 2012 Chrysler 300 | front air bag |
| 2013 Chrysler 300 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 328,177 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An air bag inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, with a risk of serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the recall repair is complete. If it must move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised Dodge dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2013 Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Ram model is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement is complete.
- Contact a franchised Dodge dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement that removes the explosion risk.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V021 and Dodge recall U03 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. At the dealer, a Dodge technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator covered by this recall. Parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair has been available since February 28, 2018. FCA US offers reimbursement for owners who already paid for a repair that later became part of this field action. Send the original receipt or other proof of payment to the company for expense confirmation, using the instructions in the owner letter.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 28, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 28, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 28, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| February 28, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 28, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V021?
Recall 18V021 covers 328,177 2009-2013 Dodge vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode in a crash. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle until the free inflator replacement is complete.
What should I do if my 2009-2013 Dodge vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V021. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Call a franchised Dodge dealer and ask for the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 18V021 and Chrysler recall number U03.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Dodge dealer will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge, including parts and labor, once your VIN is confirmed in recall 18V021.
What does Do not drive mean for recall 18V021?
Do not drive means the vehicle should stay parked until the dealer completes the recall repair. If the vehicle must move for service, ask the Dodge dealer about towing or another safe transport option when you schedule the inflator replacement.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Dodge dealer with recall number 18V021 and Chrysler recall number U03.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V021000 |
|---|---|
| Dodge customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V021 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V021000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →