Nissan and Toyota have announced a massive expansion in their recall of problem airbags made by Takata, one of the worlds largest suppliers of automotive safety systems and products. The additional 6.5 million vehicles include 35 models worldwide.
The latest recall covers vehicles whose front passenger and driver-side airbag inflators can deploy abnormally or rupture, increasing the risk of injury during an auto accident.
That is different from a previous problem in which the airbag inflators deployed with too much force, affecting a variety of automakers including Honda, BMW, Chrysler and Ford.
Vehicles affected by the latest recall include 2004 to 2007 Sentra Compact, Caravan van and X-Trail SUVs, 2003 to 2007 Corolla subcompact, RAV4 SUVs and Tundra pickup trucks.
Though Tokyo-based Honda is most reliant on Takata products and has recalled the greatest number of vehicles, they have not yet joined in on the latest recall. The six deaths blamed on faulty Takata airbags occurred in Honda vehicles: five in the U.S. and one in Malaysia.
Takata-related recalls for Nissan have increased to about 4 million worldwide and Toyota has grown to 8.1 million vehicles. Takata has not been able to keep pace with the demand for replacement products.
The Japan-based corporation continues to refuse to declare that its bags are faulty or to do a consolidated recall of its products, forcing car companies to handle the issue on their own.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has continued to fine Takata $14,000 a day since February for its failure to cooperate in the matter. The fines have totaled nearly $1 million.
Many fear there could be as many as 30 million vehicles with Takata airbags in the U.S. alone. Problems with Takata airbags began surfacing about a decade ago.
Have You Been Affected By A Takata Airbag?
O’Connor, Acciani & Levy are your Takata airbag lawyers with decades of experience fighting against manufacturer negligence. If you or a family member has been injured by a Takata airbag, call a personal injury lawyer at our law firm today to discuss your legal options.