The Takata air bag recall was expanded this week to include another 3.3 million airbag inflators, continuing the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.
According to a notification posted online by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the expanded Takata airbag recall affects frontal airbags in certain 2009, 2010 and 2013 vehicles manufactured by:
- Audi
- BMW
- Daimler Vans
- Fiat Chrysler
- Ford
- General Motors
- Honda
- Jaguar-Land Rover
- Mazda
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Subaru
- Toyota
Automakers with vehicles impacted by the expanded Takata recall will provide further details on makes and models later this month, according to the NHTSA.
Toyota Recalls 600,000+ Vehicles in Response to Expanded Takata Airbag Recall
The expanded airbag recall has already forced Toyota to announce a recall affecting more than 600,000 additional vehicles, including the:
- Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Scion xB, Lexus IS 250 and 350 and Lexus IS-F from the 2009, 2010 and 2013 model years.
- Toyota 4-Runner, Lexus IS 250C and 350C and Lexus GX 460 from the 2010 and 2013 model years.
- Toyota Yaris and Lexus ES 350 from the 2009 and 2010 model years.
- Toyota Sienna from the 2013 model year.
Honda Recalls 465,000 Additional Vehicles, 960 Gold Wing Motorcycles
Honda is also recalling thousands of additional vehicles, including the:
- Acura RL and Honda Accord from the 2009-2012 model years.
- Acura TSX, Honda Fit, Honda Ridgeline and Honda Pilot from the 2009-2013 model years.
- Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Honda Element from the 2009-2011 model years.
- Honda Crosstour, Honda Insight and Acura ZDX from the 2010-2013 model years.
- Acura TSX from the 2011-2013 model years.
- Honda FCX Clarity and Honda Fit EV from the 2013 model year.
- Gold Wing motorcycles with optional air bags from the 2009-2016 model years.
Tesla Issues Safety Update for Model S vehicle
A Safety Update issued by Tesla indicates that it will be replacing airbags in certain 2012-2013 Model S vehicles. The electric car maker will be notifying its customers to schedule their replacement service.
Tesla also anticipates that the Takata airbag recall will eventually affect all Model S vehicles produced through late 2016. However, the company maintains that the vehicles’ airbags are safe for the time being, and has told owners not to take any action until they receive notification from Tesla.
Defective Takata Airbags Tied to at Least 20 Deaths
The Takata airbag recall began in 2008.
The Japanese company uses a chemical called ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and deploy the airbags quickly in the event of a crash.
However, ammonium nitrate can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures or high humidity. This can cause an airbag’s inflators to explode and hurl hot shrapnel towards a vehicles’ occupants.
Last month, the NHTSA linked exploding Takata airbags to the death of a Baton Rouge, Louisiana woman who was killed in a July 2017 motor vehicle accident involving a 2004 Honda Civic. Her car was found have had an airbag unit that was salvaged from a 2002 Honda Civic.
The death is the 20th so far attributed to a faulty Takata airbags.
At least 180 people have been injured by exploding airbag inflators.
Takata Airbag Recall Affects More than 42 Million Vehicles
Vehicles most at risk from exploding Takata airbags include older models or those in states with high humidity.
Takata has thus far recalled 69 million faulty airbags, affecting 19 automakers and 42 million vehicles.
So far, only 18.5 million airbag inflators have been replaced.
The recalls are being managed by the NHTSA and are being phased-in over the next three years.
Takata Airbag Recall Results in Criminal Conviction, $1 Billion Fine
Last year, the Takata Corporation entered a guilty plea and agreed to pay $1 billion for conspiring to conceal the deadly defects plaguing is airbag inflators.
Federal prosecutors also indicted three Takata executives on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy in relation to the same conduct.
The airbag debacle forced Takata to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June of last year.
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Our Undefeated Auto Recall Lawyers continue to investigate injuries and deaths related to defective Takata airbags and will post updates as additional recalls are announced and more information becomes available.
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