Car owners with newly replaced airbags facing new recall

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Two Cobb County drivers who've waited a year to get their recalled air bags replaced will finally get their cars repaired next week after Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland got involved.

Cindie Parmelee and Butch Sehorn had been anxious about driving with 9-year-old Takata airbag inflators. A defect has been linked to the deaths of 13 drivers, one of whom was nine months pregnant. Her baby died three days later.

Fiat Chrysler announced the recall on the couple's cars in June 2015.

"It's very scary knowing when you get behind the wheel of a car knowing that something can explode in your face," said Parmelee.

Their dealer, Ed Voyles of Marietta, gets 25 replacement units in per shipment. The dealer has 240 names on a waiting list, but was able to juggle repair schedules to accommodate Strickland's viewers. 

Parmelee and Sehorn got a second dose of relief knowing the units are by auto and aerospace supplier TRW of Ohio.

"It's an amazing relief.  I did not want to replace one bad thing with another bad thing," said Sehorn. 

Their recall journey is only halfway complete.

Fiat Chrysler just recalled 4.3 million more cars for passenger inflators.

Both Sehorn's ;Charger and Parmelee's 300 are back on the list.

A spokesman for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles told Strickland that Georgia remains a high-priority state for parts, and that the company is committed to doing the repairs in a timely manner.

"FCA's telling us that we shouldn't be worried about it, that they're going to be able to meet demand so we're going to stand behind that," said Voyles service director Todd Harper.

Fiat Chrysler says customer notifications will go out according to a set schedule.

A statement from the company indicated the supply shortage Strickland found is not common.

"This case was an anomaly. Our supply of replacement inflators exceeds the current level of demand. We are servicing an average of 25,000 vehicles per week and we encourage all affected customers to schedule appointments with their dealers. These components represent a permanent solution and will not require replacement."

Cox Media Group