Honda Motor Co. Under Investigation Following Takata Airbag Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened up an investigation into whether or not Honda Motor Co. failed to report injuries and deaths linked to defective Takata airbags.

Defective Takata airbags have led to the recall of nearly 8 million vehicles this year and have been linked to at least four deaths and dozens more injuries. The NHTSA has reason to believe that Honda failed to notify safety regulators about knowledge that a Takata airbag had exploded and injured a Honda driver back in 2004.

According to a New York Times article published in Sept. 2014, Honda knew of at least four instances in which the defective inflators of a Takata airbag ruptured and caused injuries. Honda did not issue a recall until 2008, and they only recalled a small fraction of the 6 million they have currently recalled worldwide for this issue.

Although the investigation focuses on the failure to report injuries and deaths, the NHTSA is also concerned that the automakers failure to report goes beyond the airbags.

The administration has ordered Honda to submit documents outlining their reporting procedures, and to identify any deaths or injuries related to Takata airbags that they may have failed to previously report. Honda has until Dec. 1 to comply with this request.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective airbag, our Takata airbag recall lawyers can help you determine what your legal options are.

Call a Milwaukee personal injury lawyer from PKSD today at  414-333-3333 or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on this page.