On Tuesday November 18, federal safety officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a statement that called on auto manufacturers to issue a nationwide recall of any vehicle equipped with Takata airbags. Specifically, federal regulators want to expand recalls on all trucks or cars that have driver side airbags from the Japanese auto parts supplier for all 50 states and U.S. territories. Prior to the announcement, recalls were limited to certain states and territories.
The call to expand recalls comes after researchers determined the problem with Takata airbags may not be limited to states and territories with high humidity, as earlier suspected. NHTSA officials further stated that the organization will use its statutory powers against automakers that do not issue the nationwide recall.
Defective Takata Airbags
In a previous blog, we discussed defective Takata airbags – which can rupture during deployment and send metal shards flying at vehicle occupants – and explained how nearly 8 million U.S. vehicles have been recalled as a result. Since 2008, more than 14 million vehicles across the world have been recalled for Takata-made airbags.
According to the latest figures, 5 deaths have been linked to the airbags, along with many more injuries. For safety advocates, those injuries and deaths are preventable – especially had Takata taken steps to create a safer product or address the problems if / when they knew. When auto manufacturers create unsafe products – including unsafe auto parts – they can be held accountable for victims' damages.
You can visit the NHTSA website and use the VIN search tool to determine if your vehicle may have been affected by the recall. If so, the NHTSA has encouraged vehicle owners to take immediate action to take their vehicles in for service.
For questions about defective auto parts or your rights after an auto accident, contact a San Diego car accident lawyer from The McClellan Law firm.