Should I worry about the recall?   Given that the recent airbag recall affects about one in seven U.S. vehicles—including cars from 11 automakers—a lot of people are naturally wondering what to do. The DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set up a special website to provide updates and information on this and other recalls. Watch the mail, as automakers are sending information on recalled airbags with steps to arrange a free repair or replacement. While the NHTSA urges drivers to take action, it also says it’s O.K. to continue driving the vehicle and cautions against disabling any of the recalled airbags before they can be replaced or fixed.

What happens after my airbag deploys?  Airbags can only be used once. They are programmed to launch when there is an accident involving a significant amount of force, not a minor fender bender. Special care must be taken when replacing a used airbag. Make sure any maintenance or replacements are handled by a trusted dealership that uses certified, original equipment and replacement parts.

What if I am not part of the recall?  If I’m not part of the recall, does my airbag need maintenance?Airbags have been a required component of a vehicle’s supplemental restraint system (SRS) since the late 1990s. Early on, some automakers advised that airbags be inspected or replaced after a certain period of time. Now the technology is considered durable enough to last for the lifetime of the car. But you should still be alert to warnings. Keep an eye on your dashboard’s SRS indicator light (the icon is a seated driver and a deployed airbag). Though the light should come on briefly when you start the car, it should not stay on. If it does, take your car to the dealer for an inspection.