Takata airbags have been problematic in the American car industry over the past couple of years. Not only are they defective but they have put thousands of people at risk, caused hundreds of injuries worldwide, and even been responsible for the deaths of at least 11 people in the United States. Due to this, Takata airbags have been recalled from millions of vehicles, making it one of the most historical automotive recalls to date.
How the airbags are unsafe
Recalls contradict the entire purpose of the airbags– which are meant to keep people safe in the event of an accident. But the problem isn’t that they won’t deploy; the problem is they deploy too aggressively. This puts the driver and passengers at risk of serious injury, as outlined below.
The airbags have been recalled due to the volatility of their deployment features. The chemical propellant, ammonium nitrate, is what inflates the airbag in whatever event the deployment signal is triggered by.
However, as ammonium nitrate is a chemical, it can become unstable and/or deteriorate over time– especially when it comes to extreme heat or moisture. That means when the airbag deploys, there may be a violent eruption of chemicals.
Worse yet, the explosion from the volatile deployment can shatter the airbag inflator module; this means jagged, metal shrapnel being hurled towards the driver or passengers face, neck or chest. This can cause severe lacerations, eye damage, loss of vision, or even death.
Regions with extreme levels of humidity may see an increase in violent eruptions. As far back at 2015, there were already 105 injuries from Takata airbags in Florida, one such region that has humid conditions year-round. But the source of aggressive airbag deployment, causing injuries and even death, was yet to be determined.
“The new incidents include allegations of facial fractures, blindness, a broken sternum and even quadriplegia,” said Sen. Bill Nelson, D. Fla. At the time, 17 of 40 newly reported injuries occurred in Florida.
The video below shows what happens when an airbag malfunctions.
Takata airbags prompted the largest automotive recall US history
Nearly 50 million airbag inflators in total, from nearly 37 million vehicles have been recalled from the following vehicles. To check if your vehicle was subjected to the Takata recall, click here. Some manufacturers may have to replace the entire airbag assembly in your car, while others would replace just the inflator.
- Acura
2003 Acura 3.2CL
2002-03 Acura 3.2TL
2013-16 Acura ILX
2013-14 Acura ILX Hybrid
2003-06 Acura MDX
2007-16 Acura RDX
2005-12 Acura RL
2009-14 Acura TL
2009-14 Acura TSX
2010-13 Acura ZDX - Audi
2006-13 Audi A3
2005-08 Audi A4 Avant
2006-09 Audi A4 cabriolet
2005-08 Audi A4 sedan
2010-11 Audi A5 cabriolet
2003-11 Audi A6 Avant
2005-11 Audi A6 sedan
2009-12 Audi Q5
2017 Audi R8
2008 Audi RS4 cabriolet
2007-08 Audi RS4 sedan
2005-08 Audi S4 Avant
2007-09 Audi S4 cabriolet
2005-08 Audi S4 sedan
2010-12 Audi S5 cabriolet
2007-11 Audi S6 sedan
2016-17 Audi TT - BMW
2008-13 1 Series
2000-13 3 Series
2002-03 5 Series
2011-15 X1
2007-10 X3
2003-13 X5
2008-14 X6
2010-11 X6 Hybrid - Cadillac
2007-14 Cadillac Escalade
2007-14 Cadillac Escalade ESV - Chevrolet
2007-13 Chevrolet Avalanche
2007-14 Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty
2007-13 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2007-14 Chevrolet Suburban
2007-14 Chevrolet Tahoe - Chrysler
2005-15 Chrysler 300
2007-09 Chrysler Aspen
2007-08 Chrysler Crossfire - Dodge
2008-14 Dodge Challenger
2006-15 Dodge Dakota
2005-11 Dodge Dakota
2004-09 Dodge Durango
2005-08 Dodge Magnum
2003-08 Dodge Ram 1500
2003-09 Dodge Ram 2500
2003-10 Dodge Ram 3500 - Ferrari
2010-15 458 Italia
2014-15 458 Speciale
2015 458 Speciale A
2012-15 458 Spider
2016-17 488 GTB
2016-17 488 Spider
2009-14 California
2015-17 California T
2013-17 F12
2016-17 F12 TDF
2016 F60
2012-16 FF
2017 GTC4Lusso - Ford
2007-10 Ford Edge
2006-12 Ford Fusion
2005-06 Ford GT
2005-14 Ford Mustang
2004-11 Ford Ranger - GMC
2007-14 GMC Sierra heavy-duty
2007-13 GMC Sierra 1500
2007-14 GMC Yukon
2007-14 GMC Yukon XL - Honda
2001-12 Honda Accord
2001-11 Honda Civic
2003-11 Honda Civic Hybrid
2001-11 Honda Civic NGV
2010-15 Honda Crosstour
2002-11 Honda CR-V
2011-15 Honda CR-Z
2003-11 Honda Element
2010-14 Honda FX Clarity
2007-13 Honda Fit
2013-14 Honda Fit EV
2010-14 Honda Insight
2002-04 Honda Odyssey
2003-15 Honda Pilot
2006-14 Honda Ridgeline - Infiniti
2003-08 Infiniti FX
2001 Infiniti I30
2002-04 Infiniti I35
2006-10 Infiniti M
2002-03 Infiniti QX4 - Jaguar
2009-15 Jaguar XF - Jeep
2007-16 Jeep Wrangler - Karma
2012 Fisker Karma - Land Rover
2007-12 Land Rover Range Rover - Lexus
2007-12 Lexus ES 350
2010-17 Lexus GX 460
2006-13 Lexus IS 250/350
2010-15 Lexus IS 250C/350C
2008-14 Lexus IS F
2012 Lexus LFA
2002-10 Lexus SC 430 - Lincoln
2007-10 Lincoln MKX
2006-12 Lincoln Zephyr/MKX - Mazda
2004-09 B-Series
2007-12 CX-7
2007-15 CX-9
2003-11 Mazda6
2006-07 Mazdaspeed6
2004-06 MPV
2004-11 RX-8 - McLaren
2016-17 570
2015-16 650S
2016 675LT
2012-14 MP4-12C
2011-15 P1 - Mercedes-Benz
2010-17 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
2005-14 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2010-11 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2011-17 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabriolet
2010-17 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe
2009-12 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
2010-15 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
2009-10 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
2009-12 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
2007-08 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
2011-15 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class
2007-09 Dodge Sprinter
2007-17 Freightliner Sprinter - Mercury
2006-11 Mercury Milan - Mitsubishi
2012-17 i-MiEV
2004-07 Lancer
2004-06 Lancer Evolution
2004 Lancer Sportback
2006-09 Raider - Nissan
2001-03 Nissan Maxima
2002-04 Nissan Pathfinder
2002-06 Nissan Sentra
2007-12 Nissan Versa - Pontiac
2003-10 Pontiac Vibe - Saab
2005-06 Saab 9-2X
2006-11 Saab 9-3
2006-09 Saab 9-5 - Saturn
2008-09 Saturn Astra - Scion
2008-15 Scion xB - Subaru
2003-06 Baja
2009-13 Forester
2004-11 Impreza (including WRX/STI)
2003-14 Legacy
2003-14 Outback
2006-14 Tribeca
2012-14 WRX/STI - Tesla
2012-16 Tesla Model S - Toyota
2010-16 Toyota 4Runner
2003-13 Toyota Corolla
2003-08 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2009-13 Toyota Matrix
2004-05 Toyota RAV4
2002-06 Toyota Sequoia
2011-14 Toyota Sienna
2003-06 Toyota Tundra
2006-11 Toyota Yaris hatchback
2007-12 Toyota Yaris sedan - Volkswagen
2009-17 Volkswagen CC
2010-14 Volkswagen Eos
2010-14 Volkswagen Golf
2013 Volkswagen Golf R
2009-13 Volkswagen GTI
2016-14 Volkswagen Passat
By filing a Takata Airbag Lawsuit, you could hold the manufacturer accountable for your financial losses such as medical bills, pain and suffering, missed time from work, and more.
BMW Issues Warning for Older Models
On May 5, 2023, vehicle manufacturer BMW issued a warning that older models are too dangerous to drive due to the Takata airbag recall. BMW’s warning affects approximately 90,000 older vehicles, due to the growing threat with the Takata airbags. The recalled airbags could explode and seriously injure or kill the riders in a car crash.
The warning covers vehicles from 2000 through 2006 model years.
Takata Airbag Funds
There are three different options for filing a Takata airbag claim, as outlined below. Some folks who were injured may only be able to choose from one, yet there are many who may be entitled to compensation from all three legal avenues.
Takata Airbag Individual Restitution Fund
The Federal Court in the Eastern District of Michigan ordered this fund as the result of a guilty plea for fraud from TK Holding, Inc. There is $125 million accessible to those who have suffered, or will continue to suffer personal injury, due to a faulty Takata airbag inflator. This also includes family members who may have died as the result of the airbag. It is available to those who have not resolved their claims against Takata.
Takata Bankruptcy Trust
The TK Holdings, Inc. bankruptcy plan is for personal injury claimants who were affected by Takata airbags either now or in the future. The estimated value is between $90 and $137 million, and rising.
Participant Original Equipment Manufacturer (“POEM”) Fund
Only those who were injured from a Honda or Acura vehicle are eligible for claiming this fun. Honda has been responsible for more injuries and deaths than any other vehicle on the market. Those who were previously injured by Takata airbags will receive financial compensation for their injuries.
Questions About a Takata Airbag Lawsuit? Contact a Johnson//Becker Lawyer for a Free Case Review.
If you have been injured, or your family has experienced the unfortunate death of a loved one from a faulty Takata airbag, you are not alone. You may want to speak with the lawyers at Johnson//Becker. We are currently accepting new auto defect lawsuits across the country, and you may be entitled to financial compensation.
We offer a Free Case Evaluation. Please contact us using the form below or by calling us at (800) 279-6386.
We would be honored to speak with you and respond promptly to every inquiry we receive.
Free Case Evaluation
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (800) 279-6386.