Takata Recall
It was recently announced that Japanese based supplier, Takata Corporation, is in hot water as they are responsible for the recall of more than 52,000 vehicles. The troubled airbag system is said to explode when the vehicle endures too much force and sends metal fragments flying into the passenger compartment. However, many of these accidents have been occurring in high-humidity states—resulting in a very dangerous and even fatal outcomes.
As of recently, the newly recalled vehicles were sold or registered in twelve high-humidity states. The affected states and territories are: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam and American Samoa. It is said that the high humidity causes the air bag propellant to burn too fast and blow apart the metal canisters. This faulty manufacturing error has been related to at least four (4) deaths.
Here is a list of known vehicles that have experienced the malfunctioning system:
- Infiniti FX35 and FX45 from 2003 to 2005
- Infiniti I35 from 2003-2004
- Infiniti M35 and M45 from 2006
- Nissan Pathfinders from 2003-2004
- Nissan Sentras from 2004-2006
Note: there are said to be upwards of 52, 738 vehicles affected by this recall so far.
Currently, Takata controls nearly 22% of the global air bag market. With this being said, Nissan is not the only manufacturer who has taken action in recalling their vehicles. Takata also produces air bags for the following companies:
- BMW
- Chrysler
- Ford
- Honda -- Driver-side air bag | Passenger-side air bag
- Mazda
- Toyota
- Mitsubishi
Due to the severity of this situation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is performing a full investigation as to whether Takata acted quickly enough once the defects were suspected. While the investigation is underway, please take the time to make sure that your vehicle is not one of the thousands that have been recalled.
The purpose of airbags is to help protect you in the event of an accident; not to hurt or even kill you. If you were injured by a defective airbag in a collision, regardless of fault, please contact us at 888-KAINE-LAW (888-524-6352) or at www.atlantaautoaccidentlaw.com.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/17/us-autos-takata-lawsuit-idUSKCN0J122N20141117