Details About the Takata Airbag Recall, the Largest in U.S. History

You may have heard about the Takata airbag recall, an issue affecting 42 million vehicles in the United States with exploding airbags, but do you know the details about the case? The recall has been ongoing since 2013 and has grown in scope over the years. A long road riddled with safety negligence and unaccountability makes it difficult to track the number of vehicles affected.

Announced in April 2013, only six vehicle makes were initially identified as affected. Reports have surfaced that Takata and Honda allegedly knew about the dangerous airbags since 2004 but failed to report the issues. A Takata plant in Mexico was found to be allowing a defect rate that was six to eight times the acceptable limit. One of the main contributors to shrapnel explosions is high humidity, and many vehicles in hot, humid climates have been recalled.

Takata denies the New York Times report that it learned of the issue in 2004 and destroyed the evidence. Now, the scope of vehicles affected has expanded to include many more makes and brands of cars operating in different climates. This issue has not only affected Takata; many vehicle manufacturers have also had to pay owners for economic losses and personal injuries. Many of the affected makes and models were only identified after a dangerous explosion.

How Can You Check Your Vehicle for Recalled Parts?

An auto manufacturer is legally required to notify all the owners of affected vehicles that they know of within sixty days the recall is reported. Once you receive the notice, the letter should include details on how to remedy the issue for free. If you suspect your vehicle may have a defective part, you can check safecar.gov to see if there are any recalls for your vehicle. In many cases, recalls are initiated due to consumer reports.

How Do You Report a Potential Auto Defect?

You can file a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) online by filling out a form. Providing the make, model, your vehicle identification number, and any photos or police reports that support your claim will help. You can also call the Vehicle Safety Hotline, powered by the NHTSA, to document your claim. The NHTSA reviews consumer reports and determines whether to contact an auto manufacturer about a potential recall. You may also report the issue to your vehicle manufacturer. Contact us if you are injured. Our team of experienced Lufkin product liability attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC has years of experience proving liability in vehicle accident or injury cases.