17 Million vehicles have now been recalled due to exploding airbags made by auto maker parts supplier, Takata. The dangerous and defective airbags were used by 10 different automakers from 2002 through 2008.
The automakers affected by the recall are:
- Acura
- BMW
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- General Motors
- Honda
- Infiniti
- Lexus
- Mazda
- Nissan
- Subaru
- Toyota
Not all models manufactured during those years are being recalled. To check to see if your vehicle has been recalled, use the NHSTA VIN look up tool. To use the look up tool, type your vehicle’s VIN number into the space provided. Your vehicles VIN number will be visible on the lower driver’s side corner of the windshield when viewed from outside the vehicle. I’ve provided a direct link here to the NHSTA lookup VIN tool. If you purchased your car used, you will want to check to make sure all recalls on your vehicle have been addressed.
The Takata airbag recall is of utmost urgency. Reports from testing have indicated that the propellant can potentially deteriorate as it ages, particularly in high humidity or tropical conditions, which could lead to explosive combustion when the airbag deploys. If this occurs, the airbag housing could rupture and send pieces of metal throughout the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Horrific accidents have been reported because of this dangerous defect.
On March 20, a driver of a 2003 Honda Civic was involved in a minor accident. The airbag deployed and a metal shard was shot into the driver’s neck. Honda has acknowledged that the car had not been repaired, even though the company had sent two notices to the owner of the vehicle. Fortunately, the driver survived.
The driver in a January 18,2015 crash was not as lucky. The driver of a 2002 Honda Accord, Carlos Solis IV was involved in a minor collision with an Infiniti sedan. The accident was so minor that the only visible damage was to the front driver’s side bumper, fender, hood and headlight of his vehicle. Unfortunately, his airbag did deploy and the housing of the airbag ruptured. Pieces of the airbag housing were propelled at a high rate of speed into Solis’ neck, killing him. His two children, aged 13 and 14 were with him at the time of the accident.
Honda acknowledged that the Solis’ car was included in the recall, but that they had not notified him directly because Solis had purchased the car in 2014 from a used car dealer. The used car dealer stated that he was not aware that the car had been recalled.
Currently there is no notification system for used car dealers from manufacturers to notify them of recalls. In 2014, 41,250,000 used cars were purchased in America. That means that over 41 Million cars are being driven by people that may not have been notified of potentially dangerous defects.
At the time of this posting 6 deaths have been linked to the Takata airbag recall.
If you own a vehicle that has been affected by the recall, do not delay in getting the defect repaired. If replacement parts are not available, keep calling the dealer to check to see when the car will be fixed. In the meantime:
- Minimize your driving by carpooling with someone who is not affected by the recall.
- Utilize public transportation.
- Rent a car.
- Ask your dealer to provide a loaner (they most likely won’t, but it will put a little pressure on them to expedite the repair.)
Lastly, the Department of Transportation has estimated that frontal use of airbags have saved some 37,000 lives since being put into widespread use in 1987. The majority of airbags are safe. The takeaway from this is to be sure that your vehicle is not affected by this recall, whether you bought it new or not.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a dangerous product accident, call Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm today. Paul Thomson aggressively represents victims in auto defect and product liability cases. Click here for a list of case results.
Let us help you find a lawyer that is right for you. Call today for your FREE consultation (540) 777-4900 .
