Takata May Need to Recall another 85 Million Vehicles in U.S. due to Defective Air Bags
What is already the largest motor vehicle recall in US history could get even larger. That’s because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the major highway safety watchdog in the United States, recently said that approximately 85 million cars and trucks still being used in this country have potentially defective air bag inflators.
Takata is currently dealing with a great deal of scrutiny for not doing enough to ensure that the 28.8 million vehicles that have already been recalled get the repairs or replacements they need. The company has had years to resolve the problem and fix the faulty air bag inflators, yet millions of cars with the dangerous air bags still remain on the road. For example, a fatal accident in Richmond, Texas last month involved a 2002 Honda Civic that had been recalled as far back as 2011. That accident resulted in the tragic death of a 17-year-old driver who was struck by shrapnel that flew out of the car’s Takata air bag. Despite the fact that the car had been recalled years earlier, the victim’s family said that they never received notice of the product recall.
The 85 million cars and trucks that have yet to be recalled could ultimately be subject to recall if Takata cannot conclusively demonstrate that they are safe for use by consumers.
Needless to say, Takata Corporation, a Japan-based automotive parts company, is doing everything possible to avoid having to replace all of the air bags currently being used on U.S. roadways. If Takata is ultimately forced to recall the rest of its air bags, it could cost the company tens of billions of dollars.
For additional information about this product recall, view the CBSNews.com article, “85M More U.S. Vehicles Could Face Takata Airbag Recall.”
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a defective product, you should speak with a skilled product liability and personal injury lawyer. The New Jersey product liability attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. have more than 70 years of combined experience with personal injury cases and will help you get compensated for your injuries or loss. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about your case.
