Certain Takata Airbags Present Increased Safety Risk
Posted on behalf of Jeff Pitman on July 7, 2016
in Product Recalls
Updated on April 25, 2024
A new test reveals that a group of faulty Takata airbag inflators in certain Honda and Acura vehicles have an increased risk of violently rupturing when airbags are deployed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging automakers to find unrepaired vehicles and fix them before additional injuries or deaths occur. To-date, there have been 11 U.S. fatalities tied to defective Takata airbags, and almost 70 million airbags are expected to be recalled by 2019.
The new data indicates that there is a 50 percent chance that the defective airbag inflators in these vehicles could rupture in a collision. The U.S. Transportation Secretary is advising consumers not to drive the impacted vehicles unless they are being driven to a dealership to be immediately repaired.
Affected Vehicles
Honda vehicles included in the urgent warning include:
- 2003 Honda Pilot
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2002-2003 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
Airbag inflators in the above list include a manufacturing defect, making the airbags even more dangerous when deployed. All of these vehicles were included in recalls between 2008 and 2011, more than 70 percent of which have been fixed. However, there are an estimated 313,000 vehicles that are not repaired and pose a serious risk to drivers.
Honda owners can check to see if their vehicle is included in the most expansive and complex recall in automotive history by visiting https://www.nhtsa.gov and plugging in their VIN number.
A defective Takata airbag can rupture when the chemical propellant becomes unstable and the canister used to house the propellant forcefully explodes, sending metal shards into the vehicle’s cabin and endangering vehicle occupants.
Damage from defective products like Takata airbags can include life-threatening or fatal injuries, property damage, lost income and steep medical bills. Contact our defective products attorneys right away for a free, no obligation review of your claim if you have been injured because of a malfunctioning product. Our Milwaukee personal injury law firm has a history of fighting for the compensation and justice our clients deserve. Let us help you today.
Call 414-333-3333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form today.