Takata Air Bag Recalls
From 1987 to 2017, frontal air bags saved an estimated 50,457 lives. If all of the people saved were seated together, they would fill a major league ballpark. What happens when air bags fail to work properly? Even worse, what happens when the air bags cause injury or death? In this case, the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues a recall. Initiated safety recalls require a manufacturer’s action to announce and remedy the defects. Did you know that tens of millions of vehicles with Takata air bags are under recall? Did you know that in late 2019 a separate group of defective Takata air bags was recalled? Here we will discuss the Takata Air Bag recalls and what you can do to protect yourself.
Air bags are meant to protect people in car accidents. Unfortunately, even the safest driver can be injured in a car accident. If you are a car accident victim in the Las Vegas area, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Make sure the lawyer specializes in representing clients who have suffered injuries in car accidents. A personal injury lawyer can help you protect your rights. The team at Anthem Injury Lawyers has experience handling complex personal injury issues. This includes spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers can come to you to discuss your case, should your injuries be severe. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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What Are the Roles in the Recall Process?
You have probably heard of recalls. But do you understand the roles everyone plays in the recall process? Before we discuss the Takata air bag recalls, we will provide a brief outline of the roles in the recall process. Everyone plays an important role in the recall process. This includes the manufacturer, NHTSA, and you (the owner). The NHTSA’s outline of these roles is below.
What Is the Manufacturer’s Role?
Manufacturers will notify registered owners by first class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. The manufacturers should offer a proper remedy to the owner. Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by one of the following:
- Repairing it
- Replacing it
- Offering a refund
- Repurchasing the vehicle
The cost to remedy can be significant. Takata, the air bag manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy. It was reported that this was the biggest bankruptcy of a Japanese manufacturer. Takata faces tens of billions of dollars in costs and liabilities. This is from ongoing recalls and lawsuits.
What Is the Role of the NHTSA?
NHTSA will monitor each safety recall. NHTSA’s goal is to make sure owners receive safe, free, and effective remedies from manufacturers. This is to be done in accordance with the Safety Act and Federal regulations.
What Is the Owner’s Role?
The owner be notified via mail from the manufacturer. If you receive a notification do the following:
- Follow any interim safety guidance provided by the manufacturer.
- Contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part for free.
Maybe you have heard about air bag recalls in the Las Vegas area but never had the issue affect you. An air bag recall can be scary. Air bags are important safety components in your vehicle. A malfunctioning air bag can cause injury and even death. If you have been injured because of a defective air bag, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers. Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced, dedicated personal injury lawyers and case managers. One call to our office can get you the expert car accident and personal injury lawyers you need to win your case. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
What Is the Takata Air Bag Recall?
According to the NHTSA, approximately 63 million Takata air bags have been recalled because these air bags can explode when deployed. This can cause serious injury or even death.
The Takata air bag recall has been going on for several years. It is one of the largest automotive recalls in history, with more than 36 million defective inflators being repaired. The effort is ongoing. As of January 2020, approximately 15.9 million recalled Takata inflators remain unrepaired.
An unrepaired recall can cost a consumer their life. This year, the 17th Takata airbag–related death occurred in the United States. In August 2020, it was reported that a driver was killed when the airbag in a 2002 Honda Civic exploded after a crash. The accident occurred in Mesa, Arizona.
What Can Car Owners Do?
Efforts continue to be made to notify car owners. However, at this stage in the Takata recalls, over half of remaining vehicle owner contact information based on registration data can be incorrect. This means owners may not receive recall notices. If you are a car owner you can check for recalls using your vehicle identification number (VIN). If your car is subject to the recall, it can be repaired for free. Get it fixed by contacting your local dealer.
What Vehicles Have Critical Warnings?
Certain vehicles are at a far higher risk for an air bag explosion. This could injure or kill vehicle occupants. These vehicles have critical warnings. NHTSA urges consumers not to drive the following vehicles with Takata air bags. Consumers should take the following vehicles straight to a dealer to have them repaired immediately:
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2002-2003 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2003 Honda Pilot
- Certain 2006 Ford Ranger
- Certain 2006 Mazda B-Series
If you own one of the above vehicles, schedule a free repair immediately. What if you have been injured in an accident involving one of the above vehicles? Don’t worry about affording a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer – we work on a contingency basis – we don’t get paid unless you win. We’ll work aggressively to protect your rights and get you the compensation that’s due you. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 for a free consultation.
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What Is the NADI Takata Air Bag Recall?
The non-azide driver inflators (NADI) recall involves Takata air bags built with NADI. It is different from the Takata air bag inflator recall discussed above.
What Is the Problem?
According to the NHTSA, the air bags that are part of this new recall have defective inflators. The defective inflators can explode or cause the air bag to not inflate properly when it deploys. A faulty seal on the inflator is believed to cause the problem.
What Are the Recalled Vehicles?
Vehicles built with NADI inflators were made by the following companies:
- BMW
- Toyota
- Audi
- Honda
- Mitsubishi
- Isuzu Oasis
BMW Recall
- 108,581 vehicles
BMW Do Not Drive Recall
- 7,910 vehicles
Toyota Recall
- 138,842 vehicles
Audi Recall
- 106,857 vehicles
Honda Recall
- 2,376,671 vehicles
- Includes Isuzu Oasis
Mitsubishi Recall
- 20,000 vehicles
What Should You Do?
If you own a vehicle by any of the above manufacturers, you should do the following:
- Check for recalls. Go to NHTSA.gov/Recalls to check your VIN.
- Get the recall fixed immediately. Your dealer should notify you when repair parts are available. This is free.
If you believe you have been injured because of a defective air bag, consult with the experienced team at Anthem Injury Lawyers. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
If you have been injured in an auto accident because of a recalled auto part, you should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer. They can help you determine what steps to take next.
The law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of car accident lawyers and staff ready to help you. We are experienced in all types of car accidents. This includes accidents involving manufacturer recalls. Our experienced team knows what to do in these types of cases and we’ll represent you so your rights are protected. You need a knowledgeable and expert legal team on your side. That is exactly what you’ll get with Anthem Injury Lawyers.
Our office is conveniently located in Henderson, Nevada. We work with clients all over the Las Vegas area. This includes North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Spring Valley, and the Strip. Contact us today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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