Air bag maker Takata's expanded recall of nearly 34M vehicles is largest ever
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After sparring with U.S. regulators over the past year, Takata Corp. has expanded its recall of defective air bags to nearly 34 million vehicles.
Announced Tuesday, the recall is the largest in National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration history.
At issue are air bags containing inflator mechanisms made by Takata. A defective seal could allow moisture to enter the propellant casing, potentially causing a rupture that could send metal shrapnel into drivers and passengers. At least six deaths and 100 injuries have been reported worldwide, according to the Chicago Tribune, the New York Times (reg. req.), Reuters and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.).
“Up until now Takata has refused to acknowledge that their airbags are defective,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. “That changes today.”
Vehicles manufactured by 11 automakers are affected, although Honda Motor Co. has so far dominated the headlines.
A number of lawsuits are ongoing in the U.S. and Canada and attorney Peter Prieto said Tuesday’s recall announcement will “tremendously bolster our claims,” reports Reuters. His Podhurst Orseck law firm is lead counsel for the plaintiffs’ lawyers in charge of the consolidated U.S. cases, which are in federal court in Miami, Florida.
Regulatory and federal criminal investigations are also underway.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Rare NHTSA alert warns owners of 4.7 million vehicles of airbag safety issues”
Associated Press: “Exploding airbag lawsuits headed to federal court in Miami”
Associated Press: “What You Need to Know About the Takata Air Bag Recall”
Consumer Reports: “Everything you need to know about the Takata airbag recall”
