On Tuesday, Takata agreed to double the number of vehicles recalled in The United States to 34 million due to defective airbags making it the largest recall in NHTSA’s history.
Takata is one of the largest suppliers of airbags. For over a decade, the Japanese company refused to admit that its products were defective even though they have been linked to six deaths (five in the U.S.) and more than 100 injuries. In these instances, the airbags violently ruptured upon deployment, sending shrapnel into a car’s passenger compartment.
Back in 2000, many customers filed complaints to the NHTSA about the explosive airbag. In 2004, the company ordered tests and found signs of defects but did not file a report. In 2008, Honda recalled more than 514,000 vehicles after a teenager was killed due to wreckages from an exploding airbag.
As the recalls expanded, the safety agencies began more thorough investigations. In February, Takata was fined $14,000 a day because the company did not give full cooperation to federal safety regulators as evidence grew. The fines reached more than $1 million.
Prior to yesterday’s announcement, ten automakers recalled 36 million vehicles worldwide. You can find out if your vehicle has been recalled by looking up your VIN on SaferCar.org. Check for your VIN on your car door label, windshield VIN plate, or insurance card. Be sure to check often, as the list is updated as new vehicles are added.
Vehicles included in the recall:
- BMW – 627,615 vehicles affected:
- 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
- 2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
- 2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
- 2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
- 2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
- 2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible
- Chrysler/Dodge – 3.3 million vehicles affected:
- 2005-2008 Chrysler 300
- 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspin
- 2006-2007 Dodge Charger
- 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 1500
- 2005-2008 Dodge Ram 2500
- 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota
- 2005-2008 Dodge Durango
- 2006-2008 Dodge Ram 3500
- 2006-2008 Dodge Ram 4500
- 2008 Dodge Ram 5500
- Ford – 502,489 vehicles affected:
- 2004 Ford Ranger
- 2005-2006 Ford GT
- 2005-2007 Ford Mustang
- General Motors – 133,211 vehicles affected:
- 2002 – 2003 Buick LeSabre
- 2002 – 2003 Buick Rendezvous
- 2002 – 2003 Cadillac DeVille
- 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Impala
- 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- 2002 – 2003 Chevrolet Venture
- 2002 – 2003 GMC Envoy
- 2002 – 2003 GMC Envoy XL
- 2002 – 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
- 2002 – 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
- 2002 – 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
- 2002 – 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
- 2002 – 2003 Pontiac Montana
- 2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
- 2005 Saab 9-2x
- Honda – 5.4 million vehicles affected:
- 2002-2003 Acura CL and TL
- 2003-2006 Acura MDX
- 2005 Acura RL
- 2001-2007 Honda Accord
- 2001-2005 Honda Civic
- 2002-2006 Honda CR-V
- 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2003-2011 Honda Element
- 2003-2007 Honda Pilot
- 2006 Honda Ridgeline
- Mazda – Approximately 330,000 vehicles affected:
- 2003-2007 Mazda6
- 2004-2008 RX-8
- 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6
- 2004-2005 MPV
- 2004 B-Series
- Mitsubishi – 11,985 vehicles affected:
- 2004-2005 Lancer
- 2006-2007 Raider
- Nissan – 717,364 vehicles affected:
- 2001-2004 Infinity I30/I35
- 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
- 2003-2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
- 2006 Infiniti M35/M45
- 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
- 2001-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
- Subaru – 17,516 vehicles affected:
- 2003-2005 Baja
- 2003-2005 Legacy
- 2003-2005 Outback
- 2004-2005 Impreza/WRX/WRX STI
- Toyota – 877,000 vehicles affected:
- 2002 – 2004 Lexus SC
- 2003 – 2004 Toyota Corolla
- 2003 – 2004 Toyota Matrix
- 2002 – 2004 Toyota Sequoia
- 2003 – 2004 Toyota Tundra
If you have been injured due to a vehicle defect, contact us for legal help.
