Another 11.5 million vehicles were recalled this week for defective Takata airbags.
Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Daihatsu announced additional recalls after initial investigations determined that Takata airbags in certain models had been found to violently erupt and spew shards of metal throughout the vehicle.
At least six deaths and more than 100 injuries have been linked to faulty Takata airbags. Five deaths occurred in the U.S., while the remaining fatality was reported in Malaysia. Automakers have stated that the most recent recall is simply a preventative measure, as they are not currently aware of any injuries stemming from this batch of vehicles.
The latest figures put the global number of Takata-related vehicle recalls at 35 million, 20 million of which are in the United States.
Worldwide, automakers are struggling to accommodate the vast number of affected vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has accused Takata of moving too slowly to find a solution to the ever-growing problem. The NHTSA has been fining the Japan-based corporation $14,000 a day in an effort to speed up their response.
Takata has refused to accept fault for their product defects or to issue a consolidated recall, leaving the burden on automakers to issue their own recalls.
Individual tests carried out by automakers reveal that the steel casings for the explosive propellant used to inflate airbags were not airtight. This malfunction allows moisture to penetrate the inflators and can cause the propellant to become destabilized, raising the risk for a violent rupture and increasing the likelihood of an injury during an auto accident.
Recent developments reported by the New York Times claim that Takata was warned about the inadequacy of their parts but chose profit over safety.
Takata Airbag Defect Attorneys
At Anderson Cummings, our personal injury lawyers are currently pursuing lawsuits on behalf of anyone who has been injured as a result of a defective Takata airbag.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a faulty product, contact our Takata airbag defect attorneys now. We will fight for the compensation you need to cover any damages you incurred.
Call (817) 920-9000 for a complimentary consultation.