Takata Airbag Injuries Causes Nationwide Recall

On October 21, 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") reported that recall of Takata Corp. supplied airbags would affect 4.7 million vehicles.

A Tokyo-based supplier of seat belts, steering wheels and other auto parts, Takata's airbags contain faulty inflator mechanisms causing rupture and release metal shrapnel when deployed in a collision.  Presently, 4 deaths and 139 injuries (particularly affecting the face and neck) have been attributed to the defective Takata airbags.  

Since 2008, over 14 million vehicles have been recalled for Takata defects from automakers including Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, General Motors, Ford, Mitsubishi and Subaru.

Because the defect has been specifically seen in vehicles located in high humidity regions, the NHTSA advised that Florida, California, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina vehicles owners take immediate action. 

The Center for Auto Safety has warned that the potential for defective airbags goes beyond the recall's identified areas which does not include the 2 states - - Virginia and Oklahoma - - in which people have been killed due by defective airbags metal shrapnel.  

The vehicles contained in the "Takata Airbag Recall" list currently include:

◦2002–2004 Lexus SC

◦2003–2004 Toyota Corolla and Tundra

◦2002–2004 Toyota Sequoia

◦2003– 004 Pontiac Vibe

◦2001–2007 Honda Accord (4 cyl)

◦2001–2002 Honda Accord (6 cyl)

◦2001–2005 Honda Civic

◦2002–2006 Honda CR-V

◦2003–2011 Honda Element

◦2002–2004 Honda Odyssey

◦2003–2007 Honda Pilot

◦2006–Honda Ridgeline

◦2003–2006 Acura MDX

◦2002–2003 Acura TL/CL

◦2001–2003 Nissan Maxima and Pathfinder

◦2002–2003 Nissan Sentra

◦2001–2003 Infiniti I30/I35

◦2002–2003 Infiniti QX4

◦2003 Infiniti FX

◦2003–2004 Mazda 6

◦2004–Mazda RX-8

◦2000–2005 BMW 3 Series Sedan and Sports Wagon

◦2000–2006 BMW 3 Series Coupe

◦2000–2006 BMW 3 Series Convertible

◦2001–2006 BMW M3 Coupe and  Convertible

◦2002–2003 Buick LeSabre and Rendezvous

◦2002–2003 Cadillac DeVille

◦2002–2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer, Impala, Monte Carlo and Venture

◦2002–2003 GMC Envoy and Envoy XL

◦2002–2003 Oldsmobile Aurora, Bravada and Silhouette

◦2002-2003 Pontiac Bonneville and Montana

◦2005-2007 Mustang

◦2005-2006 GT

◦2004 Ranger