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Expanded Action on Takata Airbags Marks Largest Ever Recall in U.S.
May21
Posted by The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic in Car Accidents
These so called “ticking time bombs” are now part of the largest auto recall in U.S. history. The Japanese company, Takata, finally admitted its airbags are defective and automakers that installed the airbags are recalling close to 34 million vehicles. That’s double the number of cars that were under the previous Takata airbag recall. It’s mindboggling to believe that one in every seven cars on our roadways are part of this recall.
The issue with the Takata airbags is that the inflators were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and lead to ruptures. Areas like Florida and Georgia with high heat and humidity are more likely to see this problem.
The airbags are dangerous and can be deadly. They can explode when the airbags deploy and send metal fragments similar to shrapnel flying into drivers and passengers. Already six deaths and more than 100 injuries are linked to the flawed Takata airbags.
Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx said, “Up until now Takata has refused to acknowledge that their airbags are defective.” That all changed on Tuesday when the company, facing heavy government pressure, proclaimed its product unsafe. The new head of the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, Mark Rosekind said, “From the very beginning, our goal has been simple: a safe airbag in every vehicle.” Rosekind said this recall represents significant progress toward that goal.
Despite the recall announcement, there are fears it could take years to correct the defective parts in every vehicle. Among the vehicles included in the recall are those manufactured by BMW, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks, Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. You can use the VIN number on your car to see if your vehicle is included. These VIN numbers will continue to be updated in the coming days so you are asked to check again if your car is not listed.
The issue with the Takata airbags is that the inflators were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and lead to ruptures. Areas with high heat and humidity are more likely to see this problem.
In the end, this will be the largest recall of any consumer product, surpassing the recall of 31 million bottles of Tylenol in 1982 after a poisoning scare. The Takata recall easily surpasses the largest automotive recall which was for a transmission issue in 23 million Ford Motor Company cars in 1980. That only required the addition of a warning sticker.
In an interview last fall, Attorney Steve Pajcic explained the airbag defect on WJXT-TV-4. “The inflator has a defect. Heat, humidity and time make it worse,” Pajcic said. “What’ll happen, it’ll come out too fast. It will explode the container. That’s where the shrapnel comes from. It’s not much, but when it comes out, if it comes out, and hits you in the wrong place, hits you in the eye, you’re half blind. Both eyes, completely blind. Hit in a part of the neck? It can kill you like a bullet.” The complete story can be seen on channel 4’s website.
If you have been injured by an airbag explosion, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident attorney can help you with your legal options.
These so called “ticking time bombs” are now part of the largest auto recall in U.S. history. The Japanese company, Takata, finally admitted its airbags are defective and automakers that installed the airbags are recalling close to 34 million vehicles. That’s double the number of cars that were under the previous Takata airbag recall. It’s mindboggling to believe that one in every seven cars on our roadways are part of this recall.
The issue with the Takata airbags is that the inflators were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and lead to ruptures. Areas like Florida and Georgia with high heat and humidity are more likely to see this problem.
The airbags are dangerous and can be deadly. They can explode when the airbags deploy and send metal fragments similar to shrapnel flying into drivers and passengers. Already six deaths and more than 100 injuries are linked to the flawed Takata airbags.
Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx said, “Up until now Takata has refused to acknowledge that their airbags are defective.” That all changed on Tuesday when the company, facing heavy government pressure, proclaimed its product unsafe. The new head of the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, Mark Rosekind said, “From the very beginning, our goal has been simple: a safe airbag in every vehicle.” Rosekind said this recall represents significant progress toward that goal.
Despite the recall announcement, there are fears it could take years to correct the defective parts in every vehicle. Among the vehicles included in the recall are those manufactured by BMW, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks, Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. You can use the VIN number on your car to see if your vehicle is included. These VIN numbers will continue to be updated in the coming days so you are asked to check again if your car is not listed.
The issue with the Takata airbags is that the inflators were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and lead to ruptures. Areas with high heat and humidity are more likely to see this problem.
In the end, this will be the largest recall of any consumer product, surpassing the recall of 31 million bottles of Tylenol in 1982 after a poisoning scare. The Takata recall easily surpasses the largest automotive recall which was for a transmission issue in 23 million Ford Motor Company cars in 1980. That only required the addition of a warning sticker.
In an interview last fall, Attorney Steve Pajcic explained the airbag defect on WJXT-TV-4. “The inflator has a defect. Heat, humidity and time make it worse,” Pajcic said. “What’ll happen, it’ll come out too fast. It will explode the container. That’s where the shrapnel comes from. It’s not much, but when it comes out, if it comes out, and hits you in the wrong place, hits you in the eye, you’re half blind. Both eyes, completely blind. Hit in a part of the neck? It can kill you like a bullet.” The complete story can be seen on channel 4’s website.
If you have been injured by an airbag explosion, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident attorney can help you with your legal options.