The horrible story continues as Takata airbags injure and take lives all over the United States of America. The airbags have been tied to at least 14 deaths and many more serious injuries and is part of the largest automotive recall in history. Inflators in about 64 million Takata airbags contain a defect that may cause them to explode and send metal fragments into cars as shown above.
This story from Texas just exacerbates the craziness of the problem as reported in the New York Time, August 29, 2016.
had been carrying the Takata parts. Engine parts were found as far as two miles away from the wreckage, according to some witnesses.
“A woman was killed in her home and four other people were injured when a truck carrying Takata airbag parts and explosives crashed and detonated on a Texas road last week, the company and local authorities confirmed on Monday.
The blast was immense — the victim’s remains were not located for two days — highlighted the potency of the explosives used by Takata in its airbags as a propellant to activate its bags in a car crash.
Which automakers are affected?
- BMW
- Chrysler
- General Motors
- Ferrari
- Ford
- Honda
- Mazda
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Jaguar/Land Rover
Which models are most at risk?
Regulators are urging drivers of the older recalled Honda or Acura models listed below to stop driving their vehicles and have them fixed immediately because they are most at risk of rupturing during airbag deployment.
They are:
-
- 2001-2 Honda Civic
- 2001-2 Honda Accord
- 2002-3 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2003 Honda Pilot
So what can you do?
If you have received an automaker’s recall for a defective airbag, you need to schedule the service for it right away as there may be a long waiting period before the replacement part can be replaced. If replacement parts aren’t available yet for your vehicle, your dealer may be able to offer you a loaner car.
Some rregulators are urging drivers of the older recalled Honda or Acura models listed below to stop driving their vehicles and have them fixed immediately because they are most at risk of rupturing during airbag deployment. They are:
-
- 2001-2 Honda Civic
- 2001-2 Honda Accord
- 2002-3 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2003 Honda Pilot
In May, 35 million to 40 million airbags were added to the recall, so if you checked before May and were told your vehicle was not affected, it would be a good idea to check again. You can do a recall search by VIN on the SaferCar.gov website, which is run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is urged to check it frequently as it is updated on a constant basis.
Do not disable your airbag. It is illegal and your airbag is still more likely to save you in a crash, not hurt you. But if your airbag has been recalled — and it is not an older Honda or Acura listed above — regulators emphasize that the airbag should be replaced as soon as possible. See the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s frequently asked questions for more information.
If you have already had your airbag replaced it will need to be replaced again in a few years, because they can degrade over time.
More detailed information and suggestion can be read on line at: NY Times
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective airbag, contact the Law Firm of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath to answer any questions you may have or schedule a free consultation. The call and consultaion is free and there is no obligation. You may have a case but you have to make the call to to our West Palm Beach office at 561-655-1990.
