DETROIT, Michigan: Stellantis has initiated a recall affecting nearly 318,000 Dodge and Chrysler sedans globally due to potential safety hazards associated with the side airbag inflators.

According to documents released by U.S. safety regulators on March 22, the recall pertains to certain Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 large cars manufactured between 2018 and 2021. The concern arises from a defect in the inflators, which could allow moisture ingress, leading to corrosion and cracks.

Consequently, the airbags may deploy with excessive force, posing a risk of hurling metal fragments at occupants.

Stellantis disclosed that high cabin temperatures could trigger the airbags to deploy, even without a collision. While the company has received seven warranty claims and customer assistance reports related to the issue, no injuries have been reported so far. The majority of the affected vehicles are located in North America.

Dealers will replace both side airbag modules as part of the recall. The owners’ notification process will commence on May 3. Stellantis emphasized that owners concerned about driving their vehicles should contact the company, although it did not specify if loaner vehicles would be provided.

Stellantis estimates that approximately 1 percent of the inflators are defective. These inflators, manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems, differ from the ones used by Takata, the Japanese airbag maker that went bankrupt. Unlike Takata’s inflators, which utilized ammonium nitrate, the recalled side airbags employ a different propellant and inflator design.

In five incidents investigated by Stellantis, the airbags deployed while the vehicles were parked, with cabin temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).

The recall comes against the backdrop of previous fatalities linked to Takata inflators, with at least 26 deaths reported in the U.S. since May 2009 and 30 fatalities worldwide, including cases in Malaysia and Australia.

Additionally, approximately 400 injuries have been documented. This history of safety concerns prompted the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with approximately 100 million Takata inflators recalled globally.