Coming on the heels of the GM ignition switch recall, Monday, NHTSA (The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) issued a recall notice for defective air bags made by a company called Takata for many different types of vehicles. NHTSA’s warning urged owners of these vehicles equipped with said air bags to take immediate action and report to a dealer for repairs for their own personal safety. Initially, around 4.7 million vehicles were affected by this recall. In most cases, drivers have already received letters from their car companies if their vehicles are affected by the recall.
When in a crash, the inflator mechanisms on the airbags can rupture, spraying bits of metal and shrapnel into the faces and chests of drivers and front-seat passengers, making worse whatever injuries the airbags were meant to avert. Apparently the chemical that actually deploys the bags during crashes was mishandled during manufacture; humidity increases the danger. At least two deaths are attributable to the faulty airbags, and two more are suspected.
The recall is an interesting one, however. Instead of recalling all vehicles across the board that are equipped by the faulty airbag, for now, the recalls are “limited regional recalls” – issued to more tropical climates like Florida. This limited recall is in place because, as stated above, it is believed that the risk of the airbag overinflating and rupturing is due to humidity. Yesterday, however, the notice was expanded, and the agency added Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana, for a total of 7.78 million vehicles. Since cars are, by their very purpose, mobile, some U.S. legislators have questioned the Transportation Secretary how NHTSA could make such distinctions between certain geographical areas.
Vehicle owners wanting to confirm whether their vehicle is one of the affected vehicles are urged by NHTSA to check the automotive recall websites and enter in their vehicle identification numbers. Specifically, owners can visit www.safercar.gov/.
According to USA Today, the latest numbers vehicles that are being recalled according to NHTSA as of yesterday evening are:
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 – 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
- 2003 – 2005 Baja
- 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
Hopefully, this recall will help prevent any further tragedies from occurring.
If you have already experienced an unfortunate situation, however – if you have already suffered injuries or your loved one has died due to any defective product or any defective vehicle part – call the skilled attorneys at Brooks Law Group today. We can help evaluate your claim and determine whether you are entitled to any compensation.
Sources: International Business Times, USA Today, ABC News
