NHTSA Investigates 30 Million Vehicles Over Takata Airbag Concerns

30 Million Vehicles Investigated Due to Takata Airbag Inflator Concerns

Takata airbags are once more the center of a huge investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating 30 million more vehicles with possible defective Takata airbag inflators.

The inflators are referred to as “ticking time bombs,” which can explode and, in rare cases, send deadly metal pieces flying throughout the vehicle with fatal consequences.

Vehicles with Potential Defective Takata Airbags

The NHTSA said the 30 million vehicles were manufactured by dozens of automakers between 2001 and 2019 and contain nearly 1,400 different models. They include vehicles from:

  • BMW
  • Chrysler
  • Daimler
  • Ferrari
  • Ford
  • General Motors
  • Honda
  • Jaguar
  • Land Rover
  • Mazda
  • Nissan
  • Porsche
  • Subaru
  • Tesla
  • Toyota

Largest Worldwide Recall in Automotive History

The Takata recalls are the largest safety recall in history, with about 67 million recalled in the United States and over 100 million throughout the world. Millions of these vehicles with potentially dangerous airbags are still on the highways.

At least 28 people worldwide have died from the Takata airbag inflators, including 19 deaths and over 400 injuries in the United States. In some cases, the airbag rupture sent metal shards flying, injuring the driver’s face and neck.

In the past 15 years, there were 88 ruptures, with 67 on the driver’s side and 21 on the passenger’s side. Automakers are responding to this safety risk by recalling all vehicles with these specific airbags.

Accessing the Risk of Takata Airbags

The investigation into this new round of vehicles is not part of the greater recall. The airbag inflators in this latest investigation have the same propellant as the recalled airbags. However, they also contain a desiccant, a drying material that keeps moisture from degrading the device. However, federal regulators believe that the material will eventually get saturated. When that happens, the material will no longer be able to absorb any more water, which over time will cause the airbags to degrade and pose a risk to vehicle occupants.

Causes of Airbag Propellant Degradation

Moisture, heat, and time are the main causes of airbag propellant degradation. When the propellant is subject to heat cycles, especially in humid climates, its surface area will change as it increases with moisture and then dries out again with heat. If the surface area swells too much as the propellant degrades, it can lead to an overpressure occurrence that ruptures the metal casing of the airbag, sending dangerous shrapnel flying through the vehicle.

Federal regulators said this can happen within the first five years in the worst climate environments. However, the time frame depends on different factors that complicate analysis.

NHTSA Will Continue to Monitor the Issue

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the vehicles with airbags equipped with desiccants don’t pose a safety risk yet, but it will continue to monitor their performance and take action if necessary.

The agency said it is unaware of any injuries or deaths from propellant degradation in these airbag inflators. No action is needed from the general public.

So far, about 50 million previously recalled Takata airbag inflators have been repaired or accounted for.  To find out if the airbag in your vehicle needs to be replaced, go to NHTSA’s Takata recall site and enter your vehicle’s VIN number.

Watch YouTube Video: Will 30 Million Vehicles be Recalled Due to Takata Bag Inflators? The following video discusses the Takata bag air issues that have affected over 15 popular vehicle models.

Sacramento Products Liability Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento products liability attorney. Thousands of people are severely injured by a defective product every year. These injuries include broken bones, burns, concussions, and disfigurements. Recovering from these injuries can take months or even years.

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a defective airbag or another dangerous product, reach out to our Sacramento products liability lawyers today to determine if you can file a claim to get compensation for your damages. Call us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

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