Here’s a list of popular vehicles driving on our roads today that have dangerous airbags in them and need to be taken in for repair. Remember this isn’t a complete list (because those recalls aren’t all done yet), so please check with recalls.gov to see if your make and model is subject to recall now:
- BMW 3 Series
- Dodge Charger – 2006
- Ford GT – 2005-2006
- Ford Mustang – 2005-2007
- Ford Ranger – 2004
- Honda Accord 2001-2007 (4 cylinder)
- Honda Civic – 2001-2005
- Honda CR-V – 2002-2006
- Honda Odyssey – 2002-2004
- Lexus SC 430 – 2002-2004
- Mazda 6 – 2003-2007
- Mazda RX-8 – 2004-2008
- Nissan I30/I35 – 2001-2003
- Nissan Maxima – 2001-2003
- Nissan Pathfinder – 2001-2003
- Toyota Corolla – 2003-2005
- Toyota Matrix- 2003-2005
- Toyota Sequoia- 2003-2005
- Toyota Tundra- 2003-2005
What is Going On with U.S. Car Airbag Recalls?
One of the biggest manufacturers of air bags in the world, Takata Corporation, sells air bags along with other kinds of safety equipment, to major car makers all over the world. Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda, in Takata’s Japan, as well as American car manufacturers like Ford and General Motors, are all customers of Takata.
For years now, millions of vehicles have been fitted with Takata air bags and sold in United States showrooms as well as in car markets all over the globe.
And they are seriously dangerous defective products.
These air bags explode — and to make matters worse, when they blow up, the air bags sent metal fragments out into the car’s interior at great force. For example, one single metal piece, a mere one inch in size, flew out of an exploding air bag in a Honda Civic and blinded the driver as well as cutting the driver’s face so badly that over 100 stitches were needed.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating this massive air bag recall. For the latest NHTSA statement on its activities, go here.
Toyota Recall Gives Details
On June 11, 2014, Toyota issued a news release that it would be going back and sending a second notification to its customers of the need for repair of their front passenger airbags.
The involved vehicles were equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant. Improperly manufactured propellant could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in the event of a crash.
Approximately 766,300 vehicles in the US were covered by the 2013 recall, including vehicles that were previously inspected and already received a replacement inflator. This recall involves certain Model Year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and Tundra; certain Model Year 2002-2004 Sequoia; and certain Model Year 2002-2004 Lexus SC 430 coupes.
Owners of vehicles subject to this safety recall will receive an owner notification letter by first class mail.
Detailed information is available to customers at www.toyota.com/recall, the Toyota Customer Experience at 1 800-331-4331, www.lexus.com/recall and Lexus Customer Satisfaction (1 800-255-3987).
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It is best if you check your vehicle at recalls.gov to see if your car or SUV has been recalled. Check even if your car isn’t on the list.
If it has, then you need to get the issue resolved as soon as possible.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a deployed air bag, then you may want to investigate whether or not that incident involved a vehicle now subject to recall – and if you have a defective product claim against the air bag manufacturer, the car maker, and others for an injury claim.
