According to the National Safety Council’s Check to Protect campaign, more than 50 million vehicles on U.S roadways have unresolved safety recalls, including 1.24 million vehicles in Texas with recalled airbags. According to a recent press release, Texas leads the nation with the most recalled airbags that have gone unrepaired.
It’s no secret that airbags are essential in protecting occupants from serious injury during a crash. However, these life-saving devices become life-threatening when known defects go unrepaired. Heat and humidity exposure over time increases the risk of a defective airbag malfunctioning, making hot summer months a particularly dangerous time to drive around with recalled airbags.
As the largest recall in automotive history, the Takata airbag safety recall affected 20 automakers and included 67 million airbags. Takata airbags were recalled after a troubling discovery: the airbags have the potential to explode when deployed, impaling drivers and passengers with shrapnel. The defect sparked official investigations, during which investigators found inflators within the airbags defective, especially in areas with a humid climate.
The automotive industry has known of problems with the Takata airbags for two decades. Still, some manufacturers have consistently dragged their feet to protect unsuspecting customers from these deadly, defective devices. Reported victims of Takata airbags include 19 deaths and more than 400 injuries. The Ammons Law Firm has handled several cases for victims who suffered devastating injuries from Takata airbags, including the first suit filed against Ford after a Takata passenger airbag injured a Texas woman in a 2007 Mustang.
Takata airbags have been recalled across makes and models. Models at the highest risk for a Takata airbag explosion include:
- 2006 Mazda B-Series
- 2006 Ford Ranger
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2002-2003 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2003 Honda Pilot
If you think you may have a recalled airbag in your vehicle or are unsure whether your airbag is in good working condition, look up your vehicle by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at CheckToProtect.org. You can also look up other recalls by searching your vehicle at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, your nearest dealership is required to repair the issue at no cost.
