(NAPSI)—If it hasn't happened already, your car dealer may call asking you to bring your vehicle to the dealership for a FREE urgent recall repair. For your own good and that of your passengers, you should do so.

The Problem

Some vehicles have airbags that do not function properly. Dealers have replacement airbags available and are urging affected vehicle owners to get their vehicles fixed for FREE.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the airbags installed in tens of millions of U.S. vehicles are subject to recall due to a safety defect that may cause the airbag to explode and cause serious injury or death.

What's Being Done

Because so many cars and trucks need to be fixed across many different vehicle manufacturers, a nationwide repair schedule has been developed to get the most dangerous airbags replaced first. Exposure to high heat and humidity over time can cause metal parts inside the airbag to explode and shoot out of the airbag at the driver or passengers.

What Car Companies Are Doing

FCA US LLC ("FCA US"), vehicle manufacturer of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM vehicles, has been leveraging many different means of communication to get the message to owners about the dangerous airbag safety recall, including:

• postcards

• e-mails

• phone calls

• SMS/text messages

• Twitter

• Facebook.

In addition, all Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM dealers have been reaching out to car and truck owners, urging them to schedule their airbag recall FREE repair.

What You Can Do

Consider the following steps on the road to safety:

1. Visit recalls.mopar.com to find out if your car or truck is under recall. Search using your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can find it on the lower left (driver's side) of your vehicle's windshield, on your car's registration card or your insurance card.

2. Call your dealer to schedule the FREE repair.

3. Call the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and RAM dedicated toll-free customer care center at (866) 220-6765. They can help you with finding a nearby dealer, assist in obtaining alternate transportation while your car is being fixed, and update ownership information if you no longer own the vehicle. That way, you could save the life of whoever does have it now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What if I don't have a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or RAM vehicle; how do I check if I am affected?

A. Visit NHTSA.gov to find out if your car or truck is under recall. Search using your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Q. How can I find out if my vehicle is affected by a future recall?

A. Sign up at NHTSA.gov/Alerts to be notified if your vehicle is affected by a future recall. It's a good idea to check the site for recalls at least twice a year, in any case.

Q. How can I learn more about the Takata Airbag Safety Recall?

A. Get answers to frequently asked questions at NHTSA.gov/recall-spotlight/takata-air-bags.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)