Takata Corporation is under intense scrutiny following a slew of recall announcements initiated by faulty airbags the company manufactured.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has begun urging vehicle owners who have received recall notices to get their vehicles repaired as soon as possible. According to the NHTSA, the airbag inflators are defective and can rupture. When an airbag deploys, metal shards may come out of the airbag as result of this defect. Approximately four deaths and dozens more injuries have been linked to Takata airbags.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective airbag, the Takata airbag recall lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy can help you get the compensation and justice you deserve. For more contact a product recall attorney with our firm today.
HAS YOUR VEHICLE BEEN RECALLED?
Takata Corp. produces approximately 25 percent of vehicle airbags, which means millions of vehicles must be repaired. At least
7.8 million vehicles have been recalled in the United States with vehicle models dating as far back as the early 2000s. Worldwide, 14 million vehicles have been recalled for defective Takata airbags.
Below is a list of the makes and models that have been recalled:
BMW
- 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
- 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
General Motors (GM)
Honda
- 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
- 2003 2007 Mazda6
- 2006 2007 MazdaSpeed6
- 2004 2008 Mazda RX-8
- 2004 2005 MPV
- 2004 B-Series Truck
Mitsubishi
Nissan
- 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
- 2003 2005 Baja
- 2003 2005 Legacy
- 2003 2005 Outback
- 2004 2005 Impreza
Toyota
- 2002 2005 Lexus SC
- 2002 2005 Toyota Corolla
- 2003 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
- 2002 2005 Toyota Sequoia
- 2003 2005 Toyota Tundra
Recently, Takata Corp. announced that it found a similar defect in some makes and models. According to Takata, the inflators were made with an incorrect outer baffle part that can cause pressure to build up and rupture the inflators upon airbag deployment. Nissan and General Motors have already recalled some of their vehicles to correct this issue.
VEHICLE RECALL NOTICES
Recalls for these airbags date as far back as 2014. The NHTSA noted in a consumer advisory that fixing this issue is essential to personal safety.
If you are not sure if your vehicle has been recalled, find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on your vehicle and visit
safercar.gov to search the NHTSA recall database. Additionally, you can visit your vehicle manufacturers website to search by VIN as auto manufacturers are required by law to have this information available for consumers.
Once you have confirmed that your vehicle needs to be repaired, contact a local dealer service department to make arrangements for the repair. If you have been injured in an auto accident as a result of a defective airbag, contact one of our defective product attorneys. Our Takata airbag recall lawyers can help you determine what your legal options are.
DID TAKATA WAIT TOO LONG TO ANNOUNCED A RECALL?
A New York Times exposé on Takata airbags has found several instances in which both the airbag manufacturer and Honda Motors knew about these defective airbags, but did little to note that they were putting the public in danger.
In 2004, the driver of a Honda Accord was seriously injured after the airbag in the vehicle deployed during a car accident. Takata denounced this occurrence and referred to it as an anomaly. By 2007, at least three more inflator ruptures were reported, but these claims were settled with the victims.
One of the first fatal accidents linked to Takata occurred in 2009 when a woman reportedly bled to death after a car accident and metal shards were found in her neck and torso. Honda had recalled some of their vehicles by this time, but it only accounted for a small fraction of the total number of Hondas that would ultimately be recalled.
The NHTSA initiated an inquiry into Takata Corp. in 2009, but closed the investigation less than a year later as it believed there was not sufficient information to suggest that immediate action was not taken to resolve this issue. This investigation has been reopened and the corporation will now have to provide documents about the airbags by Dec. 1 and answer questions under oath.
Have you or your family been affected by a Takata airbag? If so, have you considered exploring your legal options to possibly obtain financial compensation for your losses? You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
The defective
product liability lawyers at the law offices of O'Connor, Acciani and Levy have decades of experience and the resources to help fight the manufacturers in your defense. We offer free, confidential consultations to help you determine what your legal options are.
