According to the New York Times, the federal investigation into the recall of defective Takata airbags has expanded beyond driver and front-seat passenger devices to include side airbags.
The newspaper noted that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating all Takata airbag models now. The airbags can allegedly explode violently during crashes and spray vehicle occupants with metal shrapnel.
As of last week, more than 19 million cars made by 12 automakers had been recalled to fix defects, which have been linked to at least eight deaths worldwide and dozens of injuries. The Times noted that so far, the recalls have involved older vehicles, but recent concern over side airbag inflators has raised questions over whether recall efforts should be expanded.
According to the newspaper, this summer the NHTSA requested information from Volkswagen about the rupture of a side airbag in a 2015 Tiguan model, which may have exploded in a defective fashion during a crash. Additionally, General Motors announced recently that it was recalling about 400 vehicles in the U.S. over concerns that its side airbags may have failed safety tests.
Two U.S. Senators have also sent a letter to Takata demanding documentation about potential defects in the side airbags. Recalls have affected Honda, General Motors, Mazda, Ford, Mitsubishi, BMW, Nissan, Subaru and Chrysler models.
The NHTSA offers a list of vehicles recalled due to defective Takata airbags. You can visit the agency’s website by clicking here, where you can enter your VIN to see if your model has been included.
HOLDING A MANUFACTURER LIABLE FOR A DEFECTIVE AUTO PART
It is unfortunate that so many people have been affected by the Takata airbag recall. The release of defective auto parts to the public is completely unacceptable.
If you have been injured in a vehicle accident involving a defective auto part, you may be able to hold both the manufacturers of the part and the vehicle liable. You may be able to file an individual lawsuit or enter into class action litigation.
Talk to our Nashville injury attorney about your defective vehicle accident. For more information about how our attorney has helped injury victims, visit our verdicts and settlements page.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. – Proverbs 3:5
Source: https://nytimes.com/2015/10/23/business/takata-airbag-inquiry-widens.html?_r=0