Federal Regulators Want Nat’l Recall on Takata Airbags

U.S. regulators are pushing for a national recall of defective airbags which may have been installed in millions of vehicles over the years.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it will be recalling vehicles fitted with airbags manufactured by Japans Takata Corporation on a national scale. Until now, the recalls were regional and impacted only those states with humid climates. This recall affected roughly 8 million vehicles.

Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn are continuing to monitor the details of the Takata airbag recall and report on any significant developments. If you or a loved one was harmed by a faulty device, contact the product liability attorneys at our firm for a FREE consultation today.

The Takata airbags have been linked to numerous injuries and at least four driver deaths since 2008. The Nov. 18 announcement is connected to a death in California and an injury in North Carolina that may have been linked to the airbags. Both states are outside of the regional recall areas.

The NHTSA said that two incidents was enough to call for a national recall. Takata’s reaction to the proposed recall has been surprising, however.

The parts supplier claims that a national recall would be detrimental to the replacement efforts it is making in the regions previously affected by the recall. In a statement, the company claimed issuing a nationwide recall would divert replacement airbags from where they’re needed.

U.S. lawmakers are pushing Takata to recall the airbags in all 50 states, but because of the company’s concern over the number of replacement parts it has available, the recall will only go into effect for drivers side airbags.

Ford, Chrysler, Mazda and Honda said Tuesday that they’re working with NHTSA, but they wouldn’t say if they will expand their recalls. BMW said its recalls of Takata airbags already are national.

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