Airbag Danger Too Close for Comfort – Defective Takata Airbags
The Takata airbag issue has a troubling history that spans back to the early 2000s. Reports of injuries and deaths linked to defective airbags began to emerge, revealing a serious problem. The root cause of the defect was identified in the design and manufacturing process of Takata’s ammonium nitrate-based propellant, which degraded over time due to high temperatures and humidity, resulting in the potential for rupture. Inadequate quality control measures exacerbated the issue.
As more cases surfaced across different automakers, recalls were initiated worldwide, affecting millions of vehicles. The scope of the recall expanded rapidly as additional models and regions were identified with potentially faulty airbags. The seriousness of the problem led to increased efforts to understand its full extent and find solutions to prioritize consumer safety.
A Serious Risk To Your Family- Defective Takata Airbags:
Defective Takata Airbags pose significant risks to you and your family. The potential for inflator rupture and the release of metal fragments into the cabin is a major hazard, causing severe injuries and even death. Improper inflation or non-deployment during a crash also puts occupants at greater risk of head and chest injuries, compromising the airbag’s primary function of cushioning and restraint.
Factors such as high temperatures, humidity, and prolonged exposure to moisture exacerbate these risks by increasing the likelihood of propellant degradation and structural failure.
These various causes highlight the multifaceted nature of the malfunctioning Defective Takata Airbags. Unstable propellants, flawed designs, and manufacturing defects collectively contributed to this widespread safety issue.
Defective Explosion-Prone Airbags
What: Motor vehicles with malfunctioning Defective Takata Airbags.
Who: The Takata Defective Airbags inflator recall was issued in May 2016 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA ordered ARC Automotive, Inc. to recall an additional 67 million Defective Takata Airbags in May 2023.
Where: Whereas the ARC airbag inflator recall is now only happening in the United States, the Takata recall affects vehicles all across the world. The NHTSA is convinced, however, that a massive recall is essential because of the sheer volume of incidents.
Why: The defective airbags pose a serious threat to the safety of drivers. Cuts, burns, eye damage, ruptured arteries, shattered bones, and even death can result from shrapnel and other metal fragments traveling at high speeds. Those wounded by a deployed airbag may have a claim even if they were not at fault in the accident or if there were many parties involved.
What Are My Odds: Defective Takata Airbags have been linked to the injuries and deaths of thousands of individuals. These Defective Takata Airbags have resulted in thousands of lawsuits and a number of recalls, some of which are still active.
Just The Facts: Takata’s global recall touched approximately 63 million vehicles and has been called the largest and most difficult recall in U.S. history. Takata airbags were first shown to have safety problems in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until 2014 when many major automakers issued recalls of vehicles fitted with faulty airbags due to safety concerns, that the public learned of the problems with the airbags. The reports claim that the airbag’s flawed design might result in the inflator’s chemical compound causing the airbag’s metal components to rupture and fly out of the airbag at the driver or passengers if subjected to extreme heat and humidity for an extended period of time.
ARC: (airbag inflators manufactured by Tennessee-based ARC Automotive) After an eight-year investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered the immediate recall of 67 million ARC Automotive airbag inflators due to the risk of injury or death to drivers from metal shards and shrapnel-propelled high speeds by the faulty inflator. Accidents involving a faulty airbag inflator can result in serious injuries or even death to the driver or passenger.
Defective Takata Airbags Are Everywhere. How Do I Tell If It’s the Recalled One?
Acura, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Jeep, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and others all use Takata airbags in their vehicles; automobiles are known to have faulty airbags that can explode. It should be noted that this is not an exhaustive list, and that in order to identify if their car is affected, owners can check the NHTSA website using their vehicle’s unique 17-digit car Identification Number (VIN).
The Defective Takata Airbags issue has had severe legal and financial consequences for the company. Takata faced numerous lawsuits from affected individuals, families, and automakers seeking compensation for injuries, deaths, and damages caused by the defective airbags. These lawsuits alleged negligence in Takata’s product design, manufacturing, and testing.
If you suspect that your vehicle has Defective Takata Airbags, it is essential to take immediate action. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Wade & Nysather for a no-cost, no-obligation legal strategy session. We will guide you through the legal process, help protect your rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve. Your safety is our priority. Call us today at 602-547-2222 to schedule your session and take the first step toward resolving this dangerous situation.
