**UPDATE: The New York Times reported on August 26, 2016 that automakers embraced Takata’s cheaper technology almost 20 years ago, despite signs that it was unsafe.**
The massive recall of airbags made by Japanese company, Takata Corp., continues to grow to almost 70 million vehicles. Toyota is the latest to announce, on May 23, 2016, the recall of 1.5 million vehicles equipped with Takata airbags.
According to The New York Times, the malfunction of Takata airbags stems from the use of a compound called ammonium nitrate. This can become unstable when exposed to moisture and cause shards of metal to fly around the passenger cabin when the airbag is deployed. This has been linked to at least 13 deaths in the United States and Malaysia, and over 100 injuries.
Recalls of cars with defective Takata airbag inflators have been going on in the United States since 2008.
As of this time, Takata does not have a fix to all of the recalled Takata airbags. Consumers continue to drive cars that the automakers acknowledge may cause serious injury or death. Automakers, not Takata, are responsible for carrying out the recalls, and certain automakers do not provide loaner vehicles to their customers, essentially telling their customers to drive their recalled vehicles with defective airbags until there are repairs available from Takata.
If you or someone you know owns a vehicle with a Takata airbag, or has been injured when an airbag made by Takata deployed in an accident, you are welcome to contact our offices and share your experiences with our lawyers. We have a long track record of success handling automotive product liability cases.
For more information, contact info@jsrogerslaw.com or (206) 621-8525