In May, the Japanese airbag manufacturer, Takata, expanded the recall on their defective airbags to 34 million vehicles in the United States. This more than doubles the initial recall that affected over 13 million automobiles.
When we last caught up with the recalls, it was revealed that Takata had concealed evidence and documents that proved their airbags were responsible for injuring and, in some cases, killing American drivers. So far, the airbags have been found responsible for six deaths and more than one hundred injuries.
Despite the dangers of the airbags, Takata continues to manufacture the product with ammonium nitrate as a propellant, which can explode violently when the airbags deploy. When lawmakers questioned the continued use of the chemical, Takada’s vice president said, “In a vehicle, it’s not as easy as changing the color of the car.” The manufacturer believes that ammonium nitrate can work safely and effectively in their products, but lawmakers and consumers are not convinced.
Have you been injured by a Takada airbag? Don’t hesitate to let us know. Lawsuits against the manufacturer are currently being investigated.
Source: The New York Times | Reuters
