Takata airbags have been the subject of a recall spanning several years and has allegedly affected more than 12 million vehicles worldwide. The recall includes 7.8 million cars in the U.S., particularly those in areas with high humidity and heat. According to reports, faulty propellant has caused the company’s airbags to tear upon deployment, spraying passengers with shards of metal. Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a public awareness campaign in which owners of certain Toyota, Subaru, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda models to have their vehicles immediately repaired.
Recall Issued for 4.7 Million
Vehicles
Japan-based Takata Corp. is one of the world’s largest seatbelt and airbag manufacturers. The company allegedly supplied the defective products to more than 10 automakers since 2001. Most of the vehicles involved in the recalls are from model years 2000 to 2007. On October 20, 2014, the NHTSA issued a statement, urging consumers of the reportedly affected vehicles to take the recall notices seriously. The agency also stressed repairs should be made as soon as possible.
Toyota and the NHTSA also stated that data obtained from the airbag inflators tested by Takata indicated a larger recall will likely be necessary. According to the NHTSA, both Takata and Toyota have brought forward new test results underscoring the urgency for those in high-risk areas to take immediate action. The NHTSA has reportedly been criticized by safety advocates for allowing automakers to conduct regional recalls for the allegedly defective airbags because there are many other states within the U.S. that also experience periods of high temperatures and humidity. For now, the recall includes regions in Florida, Puerto Rico, along the Gulf Coast of the U.S., American Samoa, Hawaii, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other locations with similar climates.
Contact Attorney Group for Louisiana Today
If you or a loved one has been injured and you believe that a Takata airbag was to blame, you may have a future case in a Louisiana defective airbag lawsuit. Attorney Group for Louisiana can provide you with a free case evaluation. If you are eligible to file a lawsuit to recover damages, we can put you in touch with an affiliated attorney. Call us today.
