After several years of complaints about the defective quality of Takata airbags, the company began to work on a solution. During a lawsuit against the company, a former Takata airbag engineer spoke to The Times. He told how easily the company could evade detection by manipulating tests that measure airtightness. This former engineer is still working in the automotive industry. However, his testimony is not publicly available yet.
The company originally blamed the defect on mishandling of propellant chemicals during assembly. Later, it blamed humidity, rust, bad welds, and chewing gum being dropped into the inflator. In 2002, the company allowed a defect rate that was six to eight times the acceptable level. That meant that the company shipped between 60 and 80 defective parts per million airbag inflators. Although the defect rate is low in general, the recall is particularly bad in humid areas.
In October 2015, Honda announced a recall of more than 50 million vehicles because of the defective airbags. Honda announced a voluntary advertising campaign that urged owners to check the recalls of their airbags. The company is facing a $14,000 per day fine for not cooperating with the recall. It is not yet clear whether it will recall any more vehicles. Meanwhile, Takata plans to expand its remanufactured airbags to other carmakers. It’s hard to say how many vehicles will be affected, as there is no specific estimate.
Although Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2017, it is still handling airbag part replacements. This doesn’t affect your right to claim compensation. A competent law firm will take the case and pursue compensation for those who have suffered from Takata airbags. It’s not hard to find a law firm to help you with the claim. And remember: if Takata filed for bankruptcy, there is still hope. It can be reformed.
Since the recall started, more than thirty-four million vehicles have been recalled because of defective airbags. Many cars made by Honda, Acura and Pontiac sold Takata airbags. Ford Rangers and Mazda B-Series trucks are all affected by the recall. It’s important to know what these cars are and if you’re at risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says this is the largest automotive safety recall in history.
Some vehicles are more prone to the exploding of Takata airbags due to heat and humidity problems. The first six reported cases of explosion in the United States came from Florida and Puerto Rico. These reports were published by The New York Times before the first recall was made. The reports reported that airbags exploded at low speeds, while at a red light or during a fender-bender.
The company’s problems have prompted the recall of 42 million cars. While the company plans to continue manufacturing airbags and will not slow down until the demand for replacements is met, the company has engaged in a joint recall effort with other major suppliers of airbags. Approximately half of the airbag inflator replacement kits produced by Takata contain rival products. The rival suppliers are reportedly using a propellant unrelated to the Takata problems.