The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently publicizing the recall of 7.8 million cars due to defective air bags. Under certain conditions, the inflators on these particular air bags can explode and send shrapnel into the passenger compartment. According to NBC News, car owners in coastal and southern states are most at risk. High-risk areas include Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana. A variety of models from manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and General Motors are all at risk.
Defective Inflators
Under normal circumstances, air bags save lives. The air bags in question are made by the Japanese company, Takata. The problem with these air bags involves the inflator. Under certain conditions, when the air bags should be deploying to save passenger vehicle occupants, the inflator is actually exploding. The explosion sends shrapnel into the cab and face and neck level. Even seemingly minor crashes can be deadly if the air bag inflators explode.
Deadly Takata Air Bags
At least four people have been killed and dozens of others have been injured by these defective air bags. Shrapnel flying towards the face and neck region of drivers and passengers is a deadly serious defect. Apparent stab wounds had investigators stumped in Orlando, Florida until they realized that the air bag was to blame in a crash that left Hein Tran dead. Only a week after she died from her injuries, she received a letter in the mail from Honda about faulty, potentially explosive air bags. Unfortunately, that letter was too late.
Delayed Safety Recalls
In September, the New York Times investigated why the recall took so long. They found that Honda and Takata Failed for years to take decisive action before issuing the recalls. Sadly, this story sounds familiar. This botched and delayed recall of a dangerous and deadly defective part is reminiscent of the General Motors ignition switch fiasco.
Checking for Recall Information
Consumers are encouraged to check their car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) periodically to search for recall information. If you’re worried about your car, contact the manufacturer directly. In many cases, recalls don’t happen soon enough, so if you think a faulty or defective product was responsible for your injury, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Listed below are the potentially affected vehicles from each manufacturer.
BMW: 627,615 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible
Chrysler: 371,309 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
2008 – Dodge Ram 5500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Durango
2005 – 2008 Dodge Dakota
2005 – 2008 Chrysler 300
2007 – 2008 Chrysler Aspen
Ford: 58,669 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – Ranger
2005 – 2006 GT
2005 – 2007 Mustang
General Motors: undetermined total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
2005 – Saab 9-2X
Honda: 5,051,364 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2007 Honda Accord)
2001 – 2002 Honda Accord
2001 – 2005 Honda Civic
2002 – 2006 Honda CR-V
2003 – 2011 Honda Element
2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey
2003 – 2007 Honda Pilot
2006 – Honda Ridgeline
2003 – 2006 Acura MDX
2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL
2005 – Acura RL
Mazda: 64,872 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2007 Mazda6
2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
2004 – 2008 Mazda RX-8
2004 – 2005 MPV
2004 – B-Series Truck
Mitsubishi: 11,985 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – 2005 Lancer
2006 – 2007 Raider
Nissan: 694,626 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2003 Nissan Maxima
2001 – 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
2002 – 2004 Nissan Sentra
2001 – 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
2002 – 2003 Infiniti QX4
2003 – 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
Subaru: 17,516 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Baja
2003 – 2005 Legacy
2003 – 2005 Outback
2004 – 2005 Impreza
Toyota: 877,000 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2002 – 2005 Lexus SC
2002 – 2005 Toyota Corolla
2003 – 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2002 – 2005 Toyota Sequoia
2003 – 2005 Toyota Tundra