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Takata Airbag Recall: Takata Admits Airbag Inflators Are Faulty, Recalling Nearly 34 Million Vehicles


Takata Airbag Recall: Takata Admits Airbag Inflators Are Faulty, Recalling Nearly 34 Million Vehicles

In what may become the largest nationwide recall ever of a product, Takata, the  automotive safety manufacturer who has been in the headlines for airbag inflators that can explode into shrapnel, has admitted that their airbag inflators are faulty and have announced that they are intending to recall 33.8 million inflators for replacement. This is nearly double the initial amount of vehicles already involved in an NHTSA recall for the inflators that were based in humid climates, such as Florida, and affects the following manufacturers: BMW, FCA, Ford, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Daimler Trucks. And this number is not solid, since the results of independent testing of Takata inflators could possibly extend the range of the recall.

The recall stems from several incidents where a Takata inflator shrapnelized during airbag deployment as a result of a change in the chemicals of the inflator. According to official figures from Honda alone, six deaths and sixty-four injuries were attributed to the failure of the inflator system. Moisture, especially in high-humidity climates, is believed to have caused a change in the chemical composition of the solid propellant used to create the gas that inflates the air bag, instead causing excessive pressure to build up and explode, sending fragments of the inflator system outward towards the vehicle operator.

NHTSA is currently trying to add vehicles that are now included in this recall into the SaferCar.gov database. If you suspect that your vehicle falls under the recall, you can check out the site (CLICK HERE) and run your vehicle’s VIN number to see if your car is affected. Keep in mind, if you live in a high-humidity area like Florida, this should probably be a priority, since that has been one of the constant factors in each incident. On a whim, we ran the Angry Grandpa Chrysler’s VIN…and sure enough, we are under the recall.

takata shrapnel

Takata airbag shrapnel (Courtesy: japantimes.com)

 

(Courtesy: The Detroit News)


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8 thoughts on “Takata Airbag Recall: Takata Admits Airbag Inflators Are Faulty, Recalling Nearly 34 Million Vehicles

  1. ColoradoKid

    When it come to automotive recalls of all kinds in the 2010’s the words of lyricist Peter Sinfeild [ Emerson Lake & Palmer , King Crimson etc … yeah I’m an old progger … deal with it ] comes to mind

    ” Welcome back my Friends – To the Show that NEVER ends – So glad you could attend – Come inside , Come inside ” [ ELP ]

    But hey Lohnes ! Seen the news from the Republic of Texas this week ? As big as the Takata recalls may be … the Texas news will have a hell of a lot more impact on all of us when alls said and done

    The news ? Ahhhh … the STATE of Texas … in its infinite bourbon and soda addled wisdom decided to take away – prevent – remove ALL Cities Towns and Counties abilities to regulate the Oil & Gas Industry [ specifically Fracking ] in their areas

    Any doubts that its the the Oil & Gas Industry … and not We The People that are running this country being put paid to in one fell swoop .

    Which is to say … it happened in Texas .. it’ll happen in your backyard as well … and your backyard is EXACTLY where those wells will be going . Wells within city limits and 120 ft or less away from homes being what instigated the whole battle

    Not to get on my soapbox or anything folks …. but the reality is … all you Boomers need to get yer buns outta retirement and start showing these young bucks how its done . Cause if’n we don’t ..

    .. everything we hold dear .. fought and died for .. and believe in

    Will be gone in an instant … regardless of who’s lying @$& is in the Whitehouse

    1. ColoradoKid

      Apologies McTaggert . I inadvertently gave credit to the wrong Brian . Guess that 2nd cup is needed after all 😉

  2. NoSleeptillBrooklyn

    Seems to me the boomers were able to do their goofin’ off in the 60’s precisely because of the type of profitable activities OF THEIR PARENTS, who if they were able to finance their kids goofin’ off instead of working, were probably heavily invested in the various energy markets (read oil).

    So you throw rocks at the machine. Good for you. Have anything actually CONSTRUCTIVE to suggest? Or is “activism” your sole forte?

    I am honestly serious. What would you have the lesser generations do? Educate us, please.

  3. Munger

    Who comes to BangShift to make a comment about fracking legislation? And then expects a reasoned response? We readers undoubtedly have some knowledge of the topic, but that’s not why were come here. So please, if you want to engage someone about your beef with Texas laws unrelated to normal BangShift fare, go elsewhere. Better yet, walk to Texas waiving a sign. Would be more helpful to your cause.

  4. marcus

    If he keeps this up…he…will…need…another….new…screen…name…twang…

    In the meantime, not sure if 6 deaths in the billions of miles run by Hondas alone in the years covered by the recall justify this expenditure. And before you bring out the Ford Pinto on me, read the truth about that and not what the PI lawyers were able to spin it into.

    I just want to know at what point did any of these manufacturers becomes responsible for the entire life of the vehicles, especially as to gummint mandated safety devices?

  5. loren

    The airbag industry has known all these years that something like this was a possibility no matter how well they did their job, how many lives were saved and no matter how well the devices normally worked as the cars installed in got older. With millions and millions of installations on hundreds of platforms there will be a handful of problems occur and when they do there will be people getting in lines to take down whoever can be reached. It just comes with the territory. This could be a turning point for the business, or just the start of something that never ends. We might wind up w/ airbag inflators or perhaps the whole system being replaced along w/ the timing belt ever few years as a maintenance matter…add it to the normal costs, a couple thousand bucks traded for a .000005 improved chance to not be hurt in a car.

    All due sympathy for those affected anyhow.

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