Another Vehicle Recall from Toyota Covers More Defective Takata Airbags

The Toyota Motor Corp has issued another vehicle recall for cars that feature problematic and defective Takata Airbags.

The latest vehicle recall covers 247,000 cars, including 2003 to 2005 Corolla and Matrix, the 2002 to 2005 Sequoia, the 2003 to 2005 Tundra, and the 2003 to 2005 Pontiac Vibe. Interestingly, the vehicle recall says that the recalled models are primarily registered in the Southern US, mainly in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. Some other models are registered in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa.

“As a result of NHTSA’s investigation, Toyota and Takata have brought forward new test results that underscore the urgency for owners in high-risk areas to take immediate action,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement October 20th.

Reportedly, the vehicle recall focuses on Southern states and other high-temperature, high-humidity parts of the US because the defective Takata airbags can suffer malfunctions due to high humidity, which can lead to exploding airbags that send shrapnel into drivers or passegers.

In the past two years, six major US automotive manufacturers have issued vehicle recalls due to defective Takata airbags. Around the world, about 12 million auto companies have issued vehicle recalls because of Takata’s airbags.

“Toyota and Takata have brought forward new test results that underscore the urgency for owners in high-risk areas to take immediate action to get their recalled vehicles fixed. At this point, the issue appears to be a problem related to extended exposure to consistently high humidity. However, we are leaving no stone unturned in our aggressive pursuit to track down the full geographic scope of this issue,” the NHTSA said.

Takata is one of the three largest producers of airbags in the world, which means that their airbags can be found in almost any manufacturer’s vehicles. In June, the company stated that an internal investigation showed that at least 7 automobile manufacturers used the company’s defective airbags. Shortly thereafter, Nissan, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and the much-maligned General Motors issued vehicle recalls for models affected by the defective Takata airbags.

In fact, investigators in Florida are looking at Takata airbags as a possible cause of a fatality in an accident around October 15th. The deceased suffered neck wounds that the Florida investigators believe to be related to the airbag’s inflation. However, the faulty airbag death involved a Honda, not a Toyota.

Another fatality occurred in a Acura sedan in California on October 16th. Reportedly, the victim was sitting in his car in a parking lot when the Takata airbag exploded.

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.