Takata Corporation Could Be Forced to Recall 85 Million Cars and Trucks with Defective Air Bag Inflators

The Takata Corporation, an automotive parts company based out of Japan, could soon be forced to recall as many as 85 million motor vehicles currently being driven on U.S. roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the air bag inflators used in those cars and trucks are potentially defective.
At this time, 28.8 million air bag inflators have already been recalled by 14 different automakers so that they can be repaired or replaced. The recall was necessitated by a number of fatal accidents involving Takata air bag inflators, which have a tendency to explode and spray shrapnel and shards of metal into drivers and passengers. According to safety regulators, 11 people have died as a result of the air bags exploding in what should have been minor accidents, with 10 of those deaths occurring in the U.S.
Takata will have until 2019 to prove that the air bags in cars and trucks still on US roads are safe. If Takata cannot conclusively show that the air bag inflators used in those vehicles are not prone to exploding with too much force and spraying shrapnel into drivers and passengers, the company will likely be ordered to spend billions of dollars on another massive product recall.
Meanwhile, Takata may be subject to product liability lawsuits involving the individuals who were injured, or the families of the people who were killed, by the defective air bags. Takata already reached a deal with US safety officials to pay $70 million in fines and penalties.
To learn more about this product recall, read the CBSNews.com article, “85M More U.S. Vehicles Could Face Takata Airbag Recall.â€
 
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to use of a defective consumer product or defective auto part, you need to speak with a qualified product liability lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced personal injury and product liability attorneys at Lombardi & Lombardi can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Edison, Brick or Freehold, New Jersey.