Takata Airbag Recall

The deaths of eleven people have spurred the expansion of the Takata airbag recall. The recall now includes some 28 million airbag inflators in the United States alone. However, only 8 million bags have been replaced, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hundreds of people have been injured as a result of the faulty inflators.

Following the death of a 17-year-old in Fort Bend County, Texas, investigators said the crash should not have killed the high school senior. According to investigators, the airbag inflator in the 2002 Honda Civic exploded after a minor crash. Eyewitnesses said that the car rear-ended another vehicle at a four way stop. In response to the accident, Honda said that since 2011, the vehicle involved in the crash had been included in multiple recalls and a market campaign. However, the vehicle’s defective airbag inflator had not been replaced. The company urges the public to get their vehicles repaired at authorized dealers as soon as possible.

The number of deaths and injuries caused by the defective airbags continues to increase despite efforts by car manufacturers to notify those who have cars which may contain the recalled product. The list could soon expand to include another 85 million vehicles. The current list affects nearly every major auto manufacturer of select years.

Takata Airbag Recall List of Cars

• Acura 3.2CL 2003
• Acura 3.2TL 2002-2003
• Acura ILX 2013-2016
• Acura ILX Hybrid 2013-2014
• Chevrolet Avalanche 2007-2013
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2007-2013
• Chevrolet Tahoe 2007-2013
• Chrysler 300 2005-2015
• Dodge Challenger 2008-2014
• Ford Ranger 2004-2011
• Ford Mustang 2005-2014
• Ford Fusion 2006-2012
• GMC Sierra 1500 2007-2013
• GMC Sierra HD 2007-2014
• Honda Accord 2001-2012
• Honda Civic 2001-2011
• Jeep Wrangler 2007-2016
• Mercury Milan 2006-2011
• Pontiac Vibe 2003-2010
• Toyota Corolla 2002-2013

To find out if your car is on the list, visit safecar.gov and search for Takata airbag recalls using your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Or, you can sign up for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Recall Notification Email System here. To find your vehicle’s VIN, look on the lower left of the windshield for a 17 digit code. You vehicle’s VIN can also be found on your car’s registration card and possibly on your automotive insurance card.

Takata is an automotive parts company based in Japan. The worldwide corporation has production facilities on four continents and has been in operation since 1933. On its website, Takata Corporation posted that it “apologizes to the driving public for the widespread concern and inconvenience caused as a result of our inflators. U.S. drivers: We urge you to visit the NHTSA website to check if your vehicle is under recall, and to take immediate action if your vehicle is identified as requiring repair.”

The legal team of Bley & Evans Trial Attorneys has experience representing the interests of those who have been injured in car and truck accidents. If you would like more information about this topic or have experienced harm from a defective airbag inflator, contact the firm at (573) 443-8385.