Honda recently announced that the company is significantly expanding the number of vehicles subject to its latest recall involving defective airbags. Last year, Honda issued a recall of over 5 million of its vehicles in connection with problems with driver’s airbags made by one of its suppliers, Takata. Honda has now recently expanded the recall to include another 104,871 of its vehicles.
The recall has been expanded to include 2008 Pilot SUVs and model year 2004 Civic and 2001 Accord sedans. Honda’s recall now stands at approximately 5.5 million vehicles. Honda vehicles subject to the recall include various models of Civics, Accords, Acuras, Pilots, Elements, and Odysseys between 2001 and 2011.
Certain Hondas have experienced problems with the Takata airbags when they have unexpectedly malfunctioned and exploded. The explosion can cause metal parts to rip loose from the airbag and become airborne within the vehicle. To date, five deaths have been connected to malfunctioning Takata airbags.
The problem, however, is not limited solely to Honda vehicles. Nine other car companies have been affected by the defective airbags. These companies have recalled more than 17 million vehicles in the United States because of the Takata airbags. These car companies include BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi.
NHTSA Investigation Into Takata Airbags
The recalls by Honda and other companies were prompted by an investigation completed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA investigated six reports of airbag inflator ruptures occurring in Florida and Puerto Rico. NHTSA found that the Takata airbags pose an “immediate risk in areas that have consistently hot, humid conditions over extended periods of time.” Problems with the Takata airbags have been found throughout the United States, and the recall is not just limited to certain areas. Click here to see a list of vehicles affected by the Takata Airbag recall.
Honda has been fined $70 million for not reporting deaths and injury complaints to regulators. Over an 11-year period, Honda failed to report approximately 1,729 complaints that its vehicles caused deaths and injuries. The fine includes unreported complaints concerning the Takata airbags. Honda admitted that it learned of the omissions in 2011, but failed to take any action until several years later. Takata has also been fined for failing to cooperate with regulators in connection with the investigation into their airbags.
Contact Zehl & Associates’ Texas Car Recall Attorneys
Cars that have defective parts or that were manufactured improperly can pose significant dangers to the car owner and other drivers on the road. If you have been injured by a defective car, Zehl & Associates’ Texas car product liability attorneys can protect your rights. Zehl & Associates’ car recall lawyers have recovered over $1 Billion in verdicts and settlements and successfully represented over 250 clients across the United States with dangerous vehicle defects.
Contact Zehl & Associates’ Texas car product liability lawyers today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. Call us today at 1-888-603-3636 before it is too late.