A recent report from U.S. regulators has linked another death to dangerous Takata airbag inflators, marking the 28th such fatality in the United States. The incident occurred in 2018 in Alabama, involving a Honda vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While no further details were provided regarding the accident, the NHTSA emphasized that this tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of replacing recalled airbag inflators.
Takata, the manufacturer of these inflators, used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that would inflate airbags during a crash. However, over time, this chemical can deteriorate due to high heat and humidity, leading to an excessive explosion that can rupture the metal canister and send harmful shrapnel into the passenger compartment. To date, more than 400 people in the U.S. have been injured by these defective inflators, and the death toll worldwide stands at 36 across Malaysia, Australia, and the U.S.
Honda, which has used more Takata airbags in its vehicles than any other automaker, stated that the fatal incident in Alabama involved a 2004 Honda Civic and occurred in Etowah County. However, determining the exact cause of death has been complicated due to the high-speed nature of the crash. Despite this tragic incident, Honda emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue and revealed that it has already replaced or accounted for 95% of the recalled inflators in its vehicles.
In light of this ongoing problem, Honda continues to urge owners of affected Honda and Acura vehicles to prioritize repairs at authorized dealerships. By doing so, they can ensure the safety of themselves and their passengers. Honda and Acura owners can conveniently check their vehicles for recalls at www.recalls.honda.com and www.recalls.acura.com, respectively. Alternatively, they can visit nhtsa.com/recalls and enter their vehicle identification or license plate numbers to access the necessary information.
The Takata airbag inflator recalls represent the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with more than 67 million inflators involved. Unfortunately, a significant number of these recalls have yet to be resolved. On a global scale, approximately 100 million inflators have been recalled. The severity of the issue forced Takata into bankruptcy, highlighting the urgent need for action.
This latest death linked to Takata airbag inflators serves as a tragic reminder of the potential dangers posed by defective airbags. It underscores the critical importance of addressing recall notifications promptly and thoroughly. By taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers, accidents and fatalities related to faulty airbags can be prevented.
