The bankrupt company Takata is recalling 10 million front air bag inflators, part of the 70 million inflators the company agreed to recall in a 2001 agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is the largest series of automotive recalls in the history of the United States. Worldwide, about 100 million Takata inflators are being recalled. Hundreds of people have been injured or killed by the Takata inflators across the world.
These recalled inflators can be found in vehicles sold by Audi, BMW, Honda, Daimler Vans, Fiat Chrysler, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen. The recalled inflators were intended to replace other dangerous inflators produced by Takara until a permanent solution could be reached.
The 10 million air bag inflators are being recalled due to safety concerns that they can explode with too much force and hurl shrapnel. The Takata inflators used ammonium nitrate to create a chemical explosion to inflate the bags, however the chemical can deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to high heat, humidity, and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister and hurling shrapnel towards passengers.
In a report on the NHTSA website regarding the recalls, Takata states that they are unsure of how many vehicles will be affected by the recalls. However, Subaru has issued recalls for nearly 500,000 vehicles in early January of 2020.
The Takata recalls are prioritized by the vehicle’s age and location. For example, vehicles registered in the southern region of the U.S., where it is both hot and humid, will receive first priority.
By the conclusion of 2020, Takata must prove that ammonium nitrate inflators that use a moisture-absorbing chemical are safe to the public, or be forced to recall millions more inflators.
Vehicle owners can check to see if their vehicle has been recalled by going to the NHTSA website and typing in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.
Air bag injuries can be diverse and severe, may include head, facial, chest, cardiac, ear and hearing, eye injuries. Further injuries may include lung injuries from inhalation of chemicals, burns, lacerations, scarring, often this affects passengers’ arms. .
When air bag injuries occur as a result of negligence of another driver a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona could be consulted, to discuss potential claims and damages. The risks, costs and timeline of the litigation process can be explained, there should be no fee for the consultation.
Thanks to the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC for their insight into personal injury claims and airbag recalls.
