Federal Safety Regulators Demand Larger Safety Recall of Takata Airbags Across Auto Industry

The federal government has called on the automobile industry to issue a much larger safety recall for dangerous Takata airbags, as reports of deaths and injuries due to the exploding airbags and shrapnel rise around the world.

On Tuesday, November 18th, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – which has been criticized by Congressional lawmakers for failing to realize the extent of the safety problem – sent a nationwide safety recall notice to all automobile manufacturers that they must pull millions more vehicles from the market, including used and older-model vehicles, which have Takata airbags in the on the driver’s side.

Originally, the Takata airbag safety recalls focused on warm and humid regions of the US, including South Carolina, Hawaii, Florida, and Texas. However, because a part inside the Takata airbags can corrode with any amount of moisture in the air, the safety recall must be expanded, according to the NHTSA.

About 8 million vehicles with Takata airbags with the faulty inflators have been recalled globally, with 4 million of those in the US alone. Four deaths have been linked to the exploding Takata airbags, including one in Malaysia and three in the US. Around 160 people have suffered serious personal injury due to the faulty Takata airbags. The NHTSA has tracked at least 17 complaints sent to the federal safety agency directly regarding exploding Takata airbags and shrapnel.

“One can be an anomaly. Two becomes a trend, and we feel we need to act,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman.

“Takata is concerned that a national recall under these circumstances could potentially divert replacement air bags from where they’re needed, putting lives at risk,” the company said.

Takata is one of three major airbag manufacturers in the world, and if the airbags are pulled from the market, getting airbags for vehicles as required in many countries could become a growing problem. Replacement parts to fix the airbags could also become a huge problem, meaning that recalled Takata airbags remain on the road while automobile dealerships wait for replacement parts to arrive.

On average, Takata airbags last about 7 years before corrosion leads to the airbag’s failure. Many of the vehicles that fall under the safety recall are from model years 2008 and before.

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

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.

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.