In recent months, the automotive world has been rocked by recall after recall. Recently, the focus has turned away from General Motors specific recalls, to Takata airbag recalls.
Takata is a Japanese auto supplier that provides auto companies with nearly 25% of the inflators used to activate airbags during an accident. The Takata airbag defects are not limited to one auto manufacturing company, but rather cover all of the major companies and brands in the world.
While airbags have been instrumental in reducing the injuries that befall drivers and passengers, recently discovered defects pose a serious danger to motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency responsible for automotive safety, has mandated Takata airbag recalls and has expressed its concerns about the delays in Takata recalls. The NHTSA has also urged Takata to speed up its production of safe airbag replacements.
Takata airbags have been implicated in at least eight deaths and countless minor and severe injuries. The inflators used in defective Takata airbags have the potential to send metal shards into the face and torsos of drivers and passengers.
Why are Takata Airbags Dangerous?
The primary concern about the Takata airbags is that they have the potential to seriously injure, maim and fatally wound drivers and passengers. The recent massive airbag recall covering over 14 million vehicles is based on discoveries that the airbag inflators in the vehicles can rupture and send shrapnel into the bodies of the drivers and passengers.
The airbags are especially dangerous in humid states and regions where they are more likely to malfunction when they are activated. So far, the NHTSA has compiled a list of six airbag rupturing incidents in humid states such as Florida and regions such as Puerto Rico. At least four fatalities are also linked to the airbag ruptures and countless other injuries.
Did Takata Know the Bags Were Dangerous?
Recent allegations by former Takata employees have stated that Takata Corporation may have first become aware of the defects in the airbags in 2004. This date is five years earlier than the date that Takata has shared with the NHTSA.
The former employees argue that the company found airbags in junkyards and tested them to determine whether the inflation devices inside the airbags could rupture the airbag and cause damage. During testing , the company is alleged to have found defects and then is alleged to have instructed employees to delete all evidence of the airbag defects from the company's computers. The tests were completed outside of normal work hours.
As the injuries and fatalities related to the Takata airbags continue to mount, more and more consumers are filing potential class action lawsuits against Takata.
The complaints that have been filed thus far argue that Takata failed to reveal safety defects in their bags and that they intentionally withheld information from consumers and safety regulators.
What to do if Your Car Has Been Recalled
More than 7.8 million vehicles have been recalled in 2013 and 2014 due to the Takata airbag defects. The first step to ensuring you and your family's safety is to identify whether your vehicle has been recalled due to a Takata airbag defect.
The auto manufacturers are required to send out recall notices via U.S. Mail. The recall notices will detail the safety steps necessary for consumers to complete. As soon as the recall notices have been sent out, they will also be available at SafeCar.gov.
Consumers should follow the safety recall information listed in the recall notices. Thus far, consumers are being urged to avoid driving the cars until the parts have been replaced.
Unfortunately, due to the massive number of vehicles that will need to be fixed, there may be a critical shortage of airbag components.
The NHTSA has urged the Japanese airbag supplier to speed up production of replacement parts so that dealerships can complete repairs in a timely manner.
Which Cars Have Been Recalled?
There are many cars that have been recalled. Consumers should conduct research to identify if their cars have been recalled and if they are in danger of being injured.
The auto manufacturers are required by law to send out recall notices that will be coming in the U.S. Mail.
Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is requiring all of the websites maintained by the auto giants to list all critical recall information for the last 15 years.
The following list of recalled vehicles related to the Takata debacle is derived from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
BMW
- 2000 2005 3 Series Sedan
- 2000 2006 3 Series Coupe
- 2000 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
- 2000 2006 3 Series Convertible
- 2001 2006 M3 Coupe
- 2001 2006 M3 Convertible
Chrysler
- 2003 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
- 2005 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
- 2006 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
- 2006 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
- 2008 Dodge Ram 5500
- 2005 2008 Dodge Durango
- 2005 2008 Dodge Dakota
- 2005 2008 Chrysler 300
- 2007 2008 Chrysler Aspen
Ford
- 2004 Ranger
- 2005 2006 GT
- 2005 2007 Mustang
General Motors (GM)
- 2003 2005 Pontiac Vibe
- 2005 Saab 9-2X
Honda
- 2001 2007 Honda Accord)
- 2001 2002 Honda Accord
- 2001 2005 Honda Civic
- 2002 2006 Honda CR-V
- 2003 2011 Honda Element
- 2002 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 2007 Honda Pilot
- 2006 Honda Ridgeline
- 2003 2006 Acura MDX
- 2002 2003 Acura TL/CL
- 2005 Acura RL
Mazda
- 2003 2007 Mazda6
- 2006 2007 MazdaSpeed6
- 2004 2008 Mazda RX-8
- 2004 2005 MPV
- 2004 B-Series Truck
Mitsubishi
- 2004 2005 Lancer
- 2006 2007 Raider
Nissan
- 2001 2003 Nissan Maxima
- 2001 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2002 2004 Nissan Sentra
- 2001 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
- 2002 2003 Infiniti QX4
- 2003 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
Subaru
- 2003 2005 Baja
- 2003 2005 Legacy
- 2003 2005 Outback
- 2004 2005 Impreza
Toyota
- 2002 2005 Lexus SC
- 2002 2005 Toyota Corolla
- 2003 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
- 2002 2005 Toyota Sequoia
- 2003 2005 Toyota Tundra
How We Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in an airbag-related incident contact the experienced car accident lawyers based in Knoxville, TN at Greg Coleman Law. Our attorneys are on standby to help you and your family determine your legal rights.
Call a personal injury attorney in Knoxville, TN today at (865) 247-0080 or use the online contact form to send us the details of your accident.
