Nissan, Honda, and Mazda Airbags Recalled Due to Serious Defects and Personal Injury

I can remember back to the days when we rode around in cars that did not have airbags.  Airbags were a technological advancement created to make us safer.  When that technology backfires, it can be dangerous and even fatal.

After serious defects were discovered in airbags manufactured by a Japanese company, Takata, three major Japan-based automobile manufacturers – Nissan, Honda, and Mazda – had their airbags recalled for cars across the world.

According to regulators, the airbags can rupture and injure passengers, not only with an explosion of hot air, but with shrapnel from the exploding pieces. On Monday, the airbags recalled expanded as the three Japanese automotive companies widened their recalls to 3 million cars.

The defective Takata airbags are used by at least seven automobile manufacturers. On June 11th, Toyota began the sweep of vehicle recalls by voluntarily recalling 2.3 million cars worldwide. BMW issued a vehicle recall last spring for the same airbag problem.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it would launch an investigation into vehicles in the United States to determine if further vehicle recalls should be issued. Takata stated that the company believes it supplied defective airbags to BMW, Chrysler, and Ford. The company also said that representatives believe that excess moisture caused the airbags to explode, by seeping inside the inflaters and destabilizing the propellant.

“We take this situation seriously, will strengthen our quality control, and make a concerted effort to prevent a recurrence,” the company said.

Although Takata has a spotty safety record – their defective seatbelts caused a massive vehicle recall in the 1990’s – the company is one of only three that manufactures airbags, meaning automotive manufacturers have little choice in which company they purchase airbags from.

Kosuke Kachi, a Honda spokesman, said: “There has been no change in the relationship. We will get the cars fixed first, thinking of the safety of the customer.”

Honda issued an airbag recall covering 2.03 million cars worldwide, which includes 1.02 million in North America; Nissan issued a vehicle recall for 755,000 cars worldwide, including 22,800 in North America; and Mazda’s airbag recall covered 160,000 cars worldwide, with 15,000 in North America.

Two deaths so far have been linked to the exploding airbags, both in 2009 model year Hondas. Both Honda and Takata have settled wrongful death lawsuits with the families.

What To Do If You Have Been Injured, and the Manufacturer Did Not Issue a Vehicle Recall

If an airbag defect in your vehicle caused a car accident, you may not know immediately what recourse you have. Although the law is complicated, you do have legal recourse against the vehicle’s manufacturer. It is important for manufacturers to pay attention to the quality of their products and issue vehicle recall notices in a timely fashion – however, not all automobile manufacturers will do so, and consumers can be seriously injured or killed.

Under products liability law, it’s the injured party’s burden to prove that the product was defective. Therefore, it is important that the product be inspected by one or more qualified experts to determine the exact nature of the defect and whether that defect caused the harm suffered. If the product is not recovered, the customer may be left with no proof that the product was defective.

Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products. A defective product lawyer can help you with an injury you may receive. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. Defective products that commonly cause injuries include medical devices, pharmaceutical products, and other defective products such as toys, cars and automotive parts.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Personal Injury and Vehicle Recalls

If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today at (803) 252-4800.