It’s a headline this mild-mannered reporter was sick of a year ago. Takata recalls zillions of additional airbags in world’s worst… yadda yadda yadda, we got it. Takata airbag bad, may explode face while driving. Oh, the humanity!
But still the beat rolls on. Nearly a decade after Honda issued the first recall for Takata airbag inflators way back in November 2008, the devices are still being pulled over the same defect, a metal cartridge loaded with propellant wafers that can ignite with explosive — and sometimes deadly — force.
To date, there have been at least 17 deaths and nearly 200 injuries due to this problem worldwide. All told, the recall may affect upwards of 70 million vehicles, according to Consumer Reports.
The new recall affects frontal airbags in certain 2009, 2010 and 2013 vehicles manufactured by Honda, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Daimler AG, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Jaguar-Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Tesla.
Automakers will provide specific model numbers and information about how to get the defective parts changed out later this month, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The agency maintains a list of recalled vehicles and guidance on steps to take if a vehicle is affected. To find out if yours is being recalled, visit the NHTSA website. All defective Takata airbags are under recall and will be replaced for free. That was nice of them.
Believe it or not, this still ain’t over. The recalls are being phased in over the next three years. Older models and those in states with high humidity and temperatures are getting priority. So it looks like we haven’t heard the last about Takata Airbags. Stay tuned, folks.
Source: CBS News