Stellantis has had a rough stretch, and if you’re shopping for a used Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep, you need to know what you’re potentially buying into. A wave of recalls, a high-profile “do not drive” warning, and consistently poor reliability rankings from Consumer Reports all point to the same thing: buyers need to do their homework before handing over any money.
What’s Happening
Stellantis issued a “do not drive” alert covering roughly 225,000 late-model Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles over a serious airbag defect. The concern is that the air bag inflator can rupture, sending metal fragments into the cabin. That’s not a minor inconvenience. That’s a highway safety emergency, and the NHTSA recalls database has the full list of affected vehicles.
This isn’t an isolated incident. In September 2025, Stellantis recalled more than 610,000 vehicles across its brands, citing hybrid power system failures, airbag malfunctions, rollaway risks, and ADAS problems. By early 2026, another recall hit over 456,000 vehicles because of a faulty trailer tow module that could cut trailer lighting or brakes mid-drive. These aren’t small, obscure issues. They’re the kind of defects that put people at risk.
The airbag problem connects to a much larger story. The Takata airbag crisis already led to one of the biggest recall campaigns in automotive history, affecting roughly 67 million vehicles across multiple manufacturers. Stellantis vehicles, including older Dodge Ram trucks and Dodge Durango SUVs, appear on the affected list. Some of those recalls go back to 2015, and many vehicles still haven’t been repaired.
Consumer Reports has consistently ranked Chrysler and Dodge at or near the bottom of its reliability surveys, citing frequent engine, transmission, and electrical system failures. Jeep hasn’t fared much better. Transmission problems and water leaks are among the most common issues Jeep owners report.
What This Means for Used Car Buyers
If you’re looking at a used Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, or Ram vehicle right now, the recall situation is the first thing you need to address. Not the second. Not after the test drive. First.
An unrepaired recall doesn’t disappear when a vehicle changes hands. The repair obligation transfers with the car, and many sellers, private or dealership, either don’t know about open recalls or don’t disclose them. A vehicle sitting on a lot with an unrepaired airbag recall is still dangerous, even if it looks clean and drives fine.
The broader Stellantis issues around reliability also affect resale values and repair costs. Parts availability for some older Chrysler and Dodge models can be inconsistent, and repair bills on electrical and transmission problems can add up fast. If you’re budgeting for a used Jeep or Dodge and only accounting for the purchase price, you may be underestimating your total cost.
Air bag recalls in particular require close attention. A vehicle with an unrepaired air bag recall should not be driven until the repair is completed, full stop. Stellantis has issued specific “do not drive” guidance on certain vehicles, which means even a short trip to a dealership for the repair carries real risk. In those cases, owners are typically advised to have the vehicle towed.
What You Should Do
Start with a VIN check before you do anything else. Our free VIN lookup pulls open recall data so you can see exactly what’s outstanding on any specific vehicle. Don’t skip this step, even if the seller insists the car is “all clear.”
Here’s what to do before committing to any used Stellantis vehicle:
- Run the VIN through the NHTSA recalls database and cross-reference it with our lookup tool. Open recalls should be repaired by the seller before you take ownership.
- Pay specific attention to any airbag recall, especially on older Dodge Ram trucks (2003 to 2010), Dodge Durango (2004 to 2009), and Dodge Dakota (2005 to 2011). These are flagged vehicles with active “do not drive” guidance in some cases.
Beyond recalls, get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic, not one affiliated with the seller. Ask them to specifically check the transmission, electrical system, and any powertrain codes. If you’re financing the purchase, run the numbers through our car loan calculator so unexpected repair costs don’t blindside your budget.
You can still find solid used Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler vehicles out there. You just need to verify before you buy, not after.
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