The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of certain General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Nissan, BMW, Mazda, Honda, and Toyota vehicles to immediately act on recall notices to replace allegedly defective Takata airbags. According to the NHTSA, more than seven million vehicles are involved in the recalls, which began as early as 18 months ago and as recently as October 20, 2014. According to reports, the airbags can deploy as expected but can explode and release metal shards into the vehicle’s cabin. As a result, the driver and passengers are at risk of severe injury or death.
NHTSA Issues Recall for Specific
Vehicles
The recall messages comes with urgency, particularly for vehicle owners affected by regional recalls in the following locations: Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, limited areas in Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Florida, as well as Hawaii, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Saipan, and Guam. In total, 7.8 million vehicles are included in the recall in the U.S., and an estimated 12 million vehicles total worldwide are believed to be involved. The following is a list of auto manufacturers and the estimated number of potentially affected vehicles:
- Honda: 5 million
- Toyota: 877,000
- Nissan: 694,000
- BMW: 627,000
- Chrysler: 371,000
- Mazda: 64,000
- Ford: 58,000
- Subaru: 17,500
- Mitsubishi: 12,000
According to the NHTSA’s Deputy Administrator, responding to the recalls, whether new or old, is essential to personal safety. Consumer cooperation will help the agency’s ongoing investigation into the reported defect related to extended exposure to high temperatures and humidity. However, the NHTSA is reportedly analyzing the full geographic scope of the problem.
Consumers who are uncertain whether their cars are impacted by the recalls can contact their vehicle’s manufacturer’s website to search by their vehicle identification number. Doing so can help to confirm whether their individual cars have open recalls that must be immediately addressed. Owners who have been contacted by their manufacturer should subsequently visit their local dealers as soon as possible and make arrangements for the airbags to be repaired.
Attorney Group for Kansas is Available Today
If you believe you or someone you love was injured by an airbag, please contact Attorney Group for Kansas today for more information about your options. We are currently offering free case evaluations to help you determine whether you are eligible to recover damages for your condition. Call today.
