Takata To Address National Airbag Recall Ordered By The Feds Over Potentially Deadly Risks
With Millions of Vehicles Effected By An Airbag Recall By Takata Due To Potentially Deadly Risks When Deployed, The Issue of Adding More Vehicles To The List And Replacement Airbags To Be Address This Week
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has forced Takata Corp. to recall all vehicles equipped with their potentially deadly airbags or else face federal fines that will cost the company millions of dollars. The NHTSA sent a letter to Takata in late November stating that the company has until December 2nd to comply with the demand or the government agency will fine the company $7,000 per unrecalled vehicle per day.
The letter sent by the NHTSA states, “NHTSA is issuing this recall request letter to notify you that the agency has tentatively concluded that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists on a national basis in the subject driver’s side air bag inflators, and to demand that Takata recall the inflators,” The Detroit Bureau reports. Takata had agreed to recall defective airbags on the passenger side, but has dragged its feet in extending the recall to all airbags. According to another NHTSA letter, “Despite the severe consequences of air bag ruptures and mounting data demonstrating a safety defect, Takata responded that it did not agree with NHTSA’s basis for a nationwide recall of driver’s-side air bags. Takata also continues to disclaim any finding of a safety-related defect.” [http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2014/11/feds-put-hammer-down-on-takata-over-deadly-airbags/, December 2014]
Federal interest in Takata started earlier this year when the airbags were linked to flying shrapnel during vehicle crashes that can cause serious injuries. At least five deaths and over 30 injuries have already been linked to the faulty airbags, the NHTSA reports. According to data collected by the NHTSA, individuals involved in the crashes have sustained severe injuries, including loss of hearing and loss of an eye. [http://www.sentinelsource.com/mcclatchy/nhtsa-demands-takata-take-air-bag-recall-national/article_50f47058-5abc-58e7-bb01-a6cdd97f218c.html, December 2014]
Since Takata has dragged its feet in initiating the expanded recall, the company is set to go before a hearing with a House subcommittee on December 3rd. Along with representatives for Takata and the NHTSA, several automakers will be present at the hearing. The hearing on December 3rd will allow Takata to supply evidence that shows that a national recall for driver side airbags is not necessary, and will also allow representatives from the NHTSA to state why they believe the recalls are necessary.
If Takata continues to refuse to expand the recall, the NHTSA will bring the matter to trial. According to representatives from Takata, the airbags are not completely defective and a national airbag recall for driver and passenger side airbags is not warranted. The NHTSA claims that it asked Takata for evidence supporting their statement and did not receive a reply, the Detroit Bureau reports. During the hearing, the company must file all documents requested by the NHTSA by December 3rd and must also answer a battery of 30 questions providing information on the quality of its airbags and the testing that each airbag receives during manufacturing.
The personal injury attorney’s at Wright & Schulte LLC have been successfully representing clients in product liability lawsuits for many years and urge anyone who has experienced injuries due to Takata airbags to contact the firm for a free legal evaluation by calling 1-800-399-0795 or visit www.yourohiolegalhelp.com for more information on the takata airbag recall.
Contact:
Wright & Schulte LLC
865 S. Dixie Dr.
Vandalia, Ohio 45377
1-800-399-0795
www.yourlegalhelp.com
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