Nissan, Honda, Mazda, and Toyota are recalling 3.4 million motor vehicles because of airbag safety issues that could cause the devices to catch fire or emit metal fragments that could result in serious injuries to passengers. The airbags come from Takata, a leading supplier. No serious related injuries have been reported thus far.
Over 1.3 million of the autos affected in this global recall are in the US. Due to a manufacturing defect in the propellant that is used in the inflator, the safety device may not deploy correctly. Takata says that if the propellant in certain wafers was compressed incorrectly, a rupture in the airbag might occur.
Among the vehicles impacted are 1.73 million Toyota vehicles, including its Lexus SC430, Sequoia, Corolla, and Tundra models manufactured between 2001 and 2003. Honda’s recall involves 1.1 million vehicles, including Civics, Odysseys, and CR-V’s. 480,000 Nissan vehicles are affected, including the Maxima, Cube, and others, while some 45,000 Mazda RX-8 and 6 models are part of this recall.
Airbag Defects
An airbag defect can cause serious safety issues. If an airbag deploys when it shouldn’t, it can result in serious impact injuries to the driver and also to others, should this impair his/her ability to safety navigate the vehicle without becoming involved in a traffic crash. Failure to deploy during a car accident can also lead to serious injuries.
Other Common Airbag Defects
• Faulty crash sensors that can cause the airbags to inflate without need or deploy too late • Aggressive inflators that can cause serious impact injuries • An airbag that immediately inflates horizontally, rather than upward first, can also cause serious impact injuries • Missing internal tether straps, which are supposed to help an airbag deploy into the shape of a flat pillow instead of a round basketball form.
Common Airbag Injuries
• Eye injuries • Broken bones • Internal injuries • Chemical injuries from substances released during deployment • Burns • Cuts • Bruises
You want to work with an experienced Boston airbag injury law firm that knows how to help you recover the products liability and personal injury compensation that you are owed. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today.
Japan carmakers recall 3.4 million vehicles for Takata airbag flaw, Reuters, April 11, 2013
Toyota, Honda Recall Millions of Car Airbags, US News & World Report, April 11, 2013
More Blog Posts:
Woman Awarded $3.35 million in Vaginal Mesh Case against Johnson & Johnson, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, April 11, 2013
Johnson & Johnson Must Pay $8.3M Hip Defect Verdict to Retired Prison Guard, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, March 15, 2013
Bus Driver Charged in February 2 Soldiers Field Road Accident in Boston, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, April 9, 2013