Takata Airbags Cause Death, Injury & Massive Recall

In 2014, one of the largest airbag manufacturers in the world began notifying auto manufacturers of a defect that would result in millions of automobile recalls.

Over 7,800,000 vehicles have been recalled, eight deaths have been reported, and more than 100 injuries are linked to Takata’s defective airbags.

Takata Corporation manufactured faulty airbags as far back as 2008.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the airbags have defective inflators that can rupture on deployment, shooting metal fragments at vehicle occupants.

Your Safety was Compromised – You Deserve Compensation

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a defective airbag, contact one of our Takata airbag lawyers. We can help you fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.

Call  414-333-3333 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What Went Wrong?

Takata Corp. as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is facing scrutiny as more and more information on these faulty airbags is released. According to the New York Times, accidents involving exploding airbags date back to 2004.

Almost ten years ago, the driver of a Honda Accord was injured when the airbag deployed following an auto accident. Takata Corp. called this occurrence an anomaly. By 2007 at least three more airbag inflator ruptures in Honda vehicles had been reported, but the claims were settled confidentially with victims and their families.

In 2009, another similar incident led to the death of the driver who reportedly had pieces of metal embedded in her neck and chest.

Honda officially recalled some of their vehicles in 2008 for defective Takata airbags, however, it was not until 2011 that they confidentially disclosed a death and injury tally to regulators.

Although nearly 8 million vehicles have now been recalled, the NHTSA closed an investigation into Takata airbags within six months of launching it in 2009 as they felt there was not enough information to suggest that Honda did not take immediate action to resolve this issue. The NHTSA has now revived this inquiry and is requiring Takata Corp. to turn over documents and answer questions under oath about their airbags.

UPDATE: Confidential Takata Settlements Deny Future Claimants Vital Information

A Bloomberg report reveals that a handful of confidential settlements have been reached between defendants Takata, Honda, GM and Fiat Chrysler and victims over allegations regarding the Japanese part supplier’s potentially defective airbags. Many critics believe that, while beneficial to the particular claimants, settlements are hurting future plaintiffs by denying them access to crucial information that may have been revealed in depositions during public trials. Due to the confidential nature of these settlements, this information is sealed.

UPDATE: Takata Changes Chemical Compound Used as Airbag Propellant

An anonymous official from Japanese auto parts supplier Takata Corporation told Reuters Nov.12 that the company has changed the chemical mixture used in its airbags, including some that had previously been recalled.

The company maintains the decision to do so was not motivated by any admission of a defect existing, but because of the company’s commitment to continual improvements in product quality

UPDATE: Former Takata Employees Conducted Secret Tests, Hid Results from Feds

Shocking information has come to light regarding what Japanese auto parts manufacturer Takata Corporation knew about potential defects in its airbags a decade ago.

According to two former Takata Corp. employees, in 2004 the company retrieved 50 airbags from scrapyards and conducted secret tests on them. In two of the tests, the steel inflators cracked, causing the parts to rupture. Engineers were so alarmed by the findings that they immediately began developing fixes in anticipation of a recall.

The tests began in 2004. Takata employees visited scrapyards to obtain 50 airbags for testing. Two of the airbags failed inflator tests, and could have exploded on impact had they been in a crash. In anticipation of a recall, the group frantically began developing replacement parts and fixes for the inflators.

The workers say evidence was deleted from computers and that the project ended abruptly. The events allegedly took place at Takatas U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich.

For Takata Corp., the legal implications are astounding. If the allegations are proven, Takata could be liable for more than eight deaths and 100 injuries associated with their airbags. Since 2004, more than 11 automakers have recalled over 14 million vehicles because of the defective parts.

Consumer Warnings

As recall announcements continued into fall 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a consumer advisory urging vehicle owners with defective airbags to take immediate action. With recalls dating as far back as 18 months ago, the NHTSA said that responding to recall notices was essential to personal safety.

Consumers who are uncertain if their vehicle has been recalled for a defective Takata airbag can contact their vehicle manufacturers website or visit SaferCar.gov to search by vehicle identification number (VIN) if their car has been impacted.

If you have been notified by mail or confirmed that your car has been recalled, you should contact your dealers service department right away to make arrangements for repair. Takata Corp. has agreed to create two more service lines in order to speed up the process of creating the millions of repair parts they need.

Makes & Models Involved In The Recall

Approximately 14 million vehicles have been recalled worldwide for defective Takata airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that at least 7.8 million of these vehicles were recalled in the United States.

The following makes and models have been recalled from the market:

Takata Corp. recently announced that they had found another, similar, defect in some makes and models. Nissan and General Motors have recalled 30,000 vehicle to address airbags that were built with an incorrect outer baffle part.

Contact our Takata Airbag Lawyers Today

At the law offices of Pitman, Kalkhoff, Sicula & Dentice, we believe that when corporations put profits over people, they need to be held accountable for their actions. If you have been injured due a Takata airbag, our Milwaukee defective product attorneys can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and the pain and suffering you have endured.

Each attorney and staff member at PKSD is passionate about helping people. When you need peace of mind, trust PKSD to fight for the recovery you deserve, so you can move on with your life.

For a free case review, contact PKSD today at  414-333-3333 or fill out our online contact form.