When we hear about a recall that has to do with a car, we
automatically assume it has to do with the breaks, steering, engine or tires,
but a massive recall on Takata airbags has been going on for several years silently.
These airbags in particular may explode and cause serious injuries or death to
the diver or passenger of a vehicle.
What types of cars have the Takata airbags that are under
recall?
Several types of cars have these airbags and they are not limited
to just Japanese, American and German made cars. Honda in particular is one of Takata’s largest customers, but
they have not been impacted like other car brands that have been dealing with
these disastrous and deadly detonations.
Why are Takata Airbag detonations so dangerous?
The
actual airbag has a metal airbag inflator that is triggered during a collision
to inflate the airbag for the occupants safety. What makes these airbags
dangerous is that due to the metal airbag inflator heating up much more excessively,
the detonation can shoot out metal pieces that puncture through the airbag and
directly hit the upper body of the driver or passenger. Those metal pieces move
at such an excessive speed and force that once contact is made with flesh, it
can tear, maim and even kill the person in contact with it. Think of it this
way, it is as if being shot at with small pieces of metal with heavy force in
close proximity.
Based on the Times report, complaints about these
airbags have come through and 139 injuries have occurred and as many as 2
people have been killed by these airbag deploys, an 18 year old girl in a
parking lot fender bender and 33 year old Gurjit Rathore hit a mail truck and
air bag exploded, shooting shrapnel into her neck and chest, and she bled to
death in front of her three children according to her family.
A new crash happened this October with nail salon worker
Hein Tran, deceased, was in an accident and her vehicle, a Honda Accord, was
included in the recall for Takata airbags. There were questions as to whether
the airbags caused her death. “She was found with several puncture wounds to
the neck, which investigators said were not consistent with a crash.”
If you feel that your car may be at risk or part of this
Takata airbag recall, click here to check your VIN.
