Takata airbags can pose serious risks of consumer injury. According to a recent article from Consumer Reports, “more than 30 million vehicles in the United States, made by 10 different automakers, have been recalled to replace frontal airbags on the driver’s side or passenger’s side, or both.” The dangerous Takata airbags largely were installed in vehicle models from 2002 through 2008, but some model years up to 2014 also have been involved in the recall. What happens if you drive around with defective airbags in your car? As the article underscores, “some of those airbags could deploy explosively, injuring or even killing car occupants.” A Georgia man driving a 2006 Ford Ranger died in December when the airbags ruptured violently, raising to 10 deaths the toll from the dangerous airbags by the end of 2015, according to a recent New York Times article.
What is the Defect in Takata Airbags?
The problem concerns the inflator in the airbag. It is a metal cartridge that contains propellant. If the propellant malfunctions and create too powerful an explosion after an auto accident, it can spray metal shards—like shrapnel—through the passenger cabin of the vehicle. As such, the defect in the airbags can be deadly. Takata airbags have been linked to more than 100 injuries and 10 deaths, according to the New York Times. In multiple cases, metal shards penetrated the face and neck of the driver when the airbags exploded. The manufacturer knows about 88 total ruptures of the defective product, including 67 on the driver’s side of the automobile and 21 on the passenger side.
What is more difficult is that there is not a single reason that the airbags can explode. As the article notes, there are numerous contributing factors, including but not limited to:
- Poor quality control during the manufacture of the airbags;
- Exposure over several years to high heat and humidity in certain regions where consumers used the vehicles with Takata airbags;
- Design of the automobiles in which Takata airbags were installed.
Given that there is more than a single reason that the airbags can explode and cause injuries, the fix is not a simple one. Rather than repairing the airbag itself, consumers who have a vehicle with Takata airbags must wait for replacement airbags. Yet, as the article notes, “many affected owners are learning that it may take weeks or months for their replacement airbags to arrive.”
Is My Car Affected By the Recall?
If your automobile has Takata airbags, you may be at risk of serious and even fatal personal injuries. How can you know if your car has been affected by the recall? The following is a recall list from Safercar.gov of automakers with specific models and years affected by the recall:
BMW:
- 2000 328i;
- 2001-2006 M3;
- 2002-2003 M5;
- 2000 323i;
- 2002-2006 325Ci;
- 2002-2006 330Ci;
- 2002-2003 325 iT;
- 2002-2003 325 XiT;
- 2001-2006 325i;
- 2001-2005 325Xi;
- 2001-2006 330i;
- 2001-2005 330Xi;
- 2002-2003 525i;
- 2002-2003 530i;
- 2002-2003 540i;
- 2003 X5 3.0i; and
- 2003 X5 4.4i.
Chrysler:
- 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen;
- 2005-2010 Chrysler 300;
- 2005-2010 Chrysler 300c;
- 2005-2010 Chrysler SRt8;
- 2008-2010 Dodge Challenger;
- 2006-2010 Dodge Charger;
- 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota;
- 2004-2008 Dodge Durango;
- 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum;
- 2003-2009 Dodge Ram 1500;
- 2003-2009 Dodge Ram 2500;
- 2003-2009 Dodge Ram 3500;
- 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500; and
- 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 5500.
Daimler Trucks North America:
- 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500; and
- 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 5500.
Daimler Vans USA LLC:
- 2007-2008 Dodge Sprinter 2500;
- 2007-2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500;
- 2007-2008 Freightliner Sprinter 2500; and
- 2007-2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500.
Ford:
- 2004-2006 Ranger;
- 2005-2006 GT; and
- 2005-2014 Mustang.
General Motors:
- 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500;
- 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500;
- 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500;
- 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 3500;
- 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe; and
- 2005 Saab 9-2x.
Honda:
- 2001-2007 Accord;
- 2001-2005 Civic;
- 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid;
- 2001-2004 Civic CNG;
- 2002-2006 CR-V;
- 2003-2011 Element;
- 2002-2004 Odyssey;
- 2003-2008 Pilot;
- 2006 Ridgeline;
- 2003 Acura CL;
- 2002-2003 Acura TL;
- 2003-2006 Acura MDX; and
- 2005 Acura RL.
Mazda:
- 2004-2006 B-Series Truck;
- 2003-2008 Mazda6;
- 2006-2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed6;
- 2004-2005 MPV; and
- 2004-2008 RX-8.
Mitsubishi:
- 2004-2006 Lancer;
- 2004-2006 Lancer Evolution;
- 2004 Lancer Sportback; and
- 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider.
Nissan:
- 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima;
- 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra;
- 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder;
- 2001 Infiniti I30;
- 2003-2005 Infiniti FX35;
- 2003-2005 Infiniti FX45;
- 2002-2004 Infiniti I35;
- 2006 Infiniti M35;
- 2006 Infiniti M45; and
- 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4.
Subaru:
- 2003-2005 Baja;
- 2004-2005 Impreza;
- 2003-2008 Legacy; and
- 2003-2008 Outback.
Toyota:
- 2003-2007 Corolla;
- 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix;
- 2004-2005 Rav4;
- 2002-2007 Sequoia;
- 2003-2006 Tundra; and
- 2002-2007 Lexus SC.
Contact a Florida Product Liability Attorney
If you or someone you loved suffered an injury from a defect airbag or any defective product, you should speak with an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to begin the process of filing a claim. Contact Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, P.A. today to learn more about how we can assist you.
