The Takata Airbag Recall Continues to Grow and Affect More Cars and Drivers

When you get in your car, you expect that it will keep you as safe as possible in the event of a crash. After all, that’s why you bought a newer car. However, there have been many problems with newer vehicles lately that have caused injuries and fatalities. These incidents typically occur as a result of vehicles being manufactured without prioritizing consumers’ safety. Also, there are parts in vehicles that are outsourced to other manufacturers that could be the problem. This has been the case with the defective Takata airbag inflators.

Dangerous and Defective Takata Airbags

Almost everyone has probably heard about the news surrounding Takata airbags by now – as it is the largest vehicle recall in U.S. history – but the concern continues to grow. Now the deadly problem doesn’t just stop with older vehicles. There are newer cars having problems with exploding Takata airbag inflators. Recently, the concern has spread to some 2015 General Motors (GM) cars and SUVs, and GM has recalled the affected cars. But GM’s newer vehicles might not be the only newer cars with the airbag problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a crash involving a 2015 VW Tiguan that might indicate that other Volkswagen vehicles could have the same airbag inflation concerns.

The concern surrounding Takata airbags is that the airbag inflator is defective because the chemical – ammonium nitrate – used inside the airbag can degrade and burn too fast. This can cause a metal canister inside the airbag to explode and spread shrapnel inside the cabin of the vehicle into drivers and passengers.

The Airbag Problem Could Affect Newer Vehicles

While it was thought that the problem had been fixed and the newer cars wouldn’t have this concern, it is looking like the dangerous airbag problem may still be a growing concern. Because over 100 people worldwide have been injured and eight people have died so far due to the defective Takata airbags, it is important that every driver contact their dealership to find out if their vehicle is affected by the airbag recall. Although dealers are supposed to be contacting affected customers, it is critical to the safety of all drivers and passengers that vehicle owners double check with their dealers regarding airbag repairs.

So far, the manufacturers involved in the Takata airbag recall include BMW, Daimler Trucks, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. However, NHTSA believe the airbag recall could spread and also affect Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar-Land Rover, Suzuki, Tesla, Volvo Trucks, Volkswagen and Spartan Motors.

It is important that airbags work properly to protect drivers and passengers as much as possible in the event of a car crash instead of cause them more harm. If you have been injured as a passenger or driver due to a malfunctioning airbag, it is likely that you have a claim against Takata and/or the vehicle manufacturer for your injuries and damages.

To find out about your legal rights in a personal injury claim, contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at (954) 677-0155 to speak with a knowledgeable accident injury attorney in a free consultation today.