More than 30 million motor vehicles produced by 10 manufacturers have been recalled in the United States to replace the frontal airbags produced by the major supplier Takata. Vehicles produced between 2002 and 2008 have taken the brunt of the impact, but others as new as 2014 have also been recalled.
The danger is very real, as some airbags made by Takata during this time period could explode, injuring or even killing vehicle occupants.
If you’re shopping for a used vehicle in the areas of Turnersville, Cherry Hill, or Mount Laurel, make sure that the vehicles you test drive don’t have any recalls on parts or important components. The professionals at Prestige Subaru can assist you with ensuring that the vehicle you ultimately purchase is sound.
Record Setting Penalties
This is no average recall, as the number of vehicles and people that could be impacted is significant. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) kept this in mind when a record-setting fine of $200 million was imposed on Takata. Seventy million dollars of that fine is a cash charge, while the other portion is what will be due if Takata fails to meet important deadlines in an effort to remedy the situation.
A Deadly Timeline
This story first became mainstream in November 2014 when The New York Times published an eye-opening report that Takata knew about dangerous defects in their inflators yet failed to file the proper federal paperwork. Just a couple weeks after this article was released, the NHTSA expanded the previous, small-scale recall to a national-level warning. Both Ford and Honda issued statements detailing the number of vehicles from their product lines that had been impacted and agreed to comply with NHTSA standards.
In January 2015, a fifth person was killed when the inflator in their vehicle’s airbag exploded. In May 2015, Chrysler, GM, Mitsubishi, and Subaru added vehicle identification numbers to the Takata airbag recall list. By June 2015, the death toll caused by these faulty inflators had risen to eight in the United States.
Reality of the Danger
Though the incidents of explosions are rare, eight people have died and more than 100 injuries have been reported with Takata airbags. The brutality of these explosions make them extremely dangerous. Some reported that the force of the explosion was so intense that shards of glass and metal had penetrated the victims’ face and neck. Despite the numbers, airbags in general aren’t considered dangerous to drivers and remain one of the most important components of safety.
Choose a Sound Vehicle
Shopping for a used vehicle after you’ve heard about recalls due to horrific explosions can be intimidating. At Prestige Subaru, we’re dedicated to getting drivers into sound vehicles they can trust.
If you’re in the areas of Turnersville, Cherry Hill, or Mount Laurel and have additional questions about this recall or if you would like to schedule a test drive, contact a Prestige Subaru representative today.
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