Defective and Recalled Airbag Lawsuits

As drivers and passengers, we naturally expect that the vehicles we ride in will keep us reasonably safe in a collision. We especially expect that features added to our cars specifically to enhance our safety, like airbags, will protect us. Unfortunately, millions of vehicle owners are now learning that this is not always the case. As of October 22, 2014, more than 7.78 million vehicles have become the subject of a NHTSA recall concerning defective Takata airbags that could launch deadly shards of metal at high speeds into passengers' faces and chests. Our attorneys are currently working with injured motorists, passengers, and their families, to investigate a number of Takata airbag lawsuits.

Get a free case evaluation to find out if you're eligible for compensation by calling or emailing our experienced legal team today.

Takata Airbag Recall

A recall has been issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for multiple vehicle makes and models which include potentially defective airbags made by the Japanese company Takata. Recalls were first issued in April 2013 for Takata airbags, and the federal government has continued to add to the list of vehicles included in the recall since then and as recently as October 22, 2014, when the number of recalled vehicles hit 7.78 million.

The problem prompting the recall is alleged defects caused by improper handling of the chemical propellant responsible for airbag deployment. In some models, this may cause airbags to tear away from their securing brackets and allow parts of airbag housings to become projectiles. Essentially, these pieces can act as shrapnel and can fly into the faces and chests of vehicle occupants. The NHTSA urges all owners of vehicles included in the recalls to pursue replacement of these airbags "with urgency".

According to the NHTSA, humid weather can exacerbate this issue, so drivers and passengers in areas deemed by the NHTSA to be high-humidity areas should exercise additional caution. These areas include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, southern Texas, and U.S. commonwealths including American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands.

According to Car and Driver², at this time two deaths have been reported (by Honda) in association with the defective Takata airbags. However, at least two more deaths are suspected to be a result of faulty Takata airbags. At least 139 injuries have been reported across all automakers.

Is My Car Included in the Airbag Recall?

According to the NHTSA, certain years and models of automobiles manufactured by "Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors" have been the subject of recall notices for defective Takata airbags. If you are unsure whether your vehicle has been recalled due to a potentially faulty Takata airbag, you can enter the VIN (vehicle identification number) at this NHTSA web page dedicated to the recall. In most vehicles, the 17-digit VIN can be found on the driver's side, near the base of the windshield.

List of Recalled Takata Airbag Vehicles

As of Wednesday, October 22, 2014, the official list of vehicles included in the Takata airbag recall is:

BMW: More than 627,615 potentially affected vehicles

• 2000 – 2005 BMW 3 Series Sedan
• 2000 – 2006 BMW 3 Series Coupe
• 2000 – 2005 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon
• 2000 – 2006 BMW 3 Series Convertible
• 2001 – 2006 BMW M3 Coupe
• 2001 – 2006 BMW M3 Convertible
• 2004 – 2006 BMW 325Ci
• 2004 – 2006 BMW 325i
• 2004 – 2005 BMW 325Xi
• 2004 – 2006 BMW 330Ci
• 2004 – 2006 BMW 330i
• 2004 – 2005 BMW 330Xi

Chrysler: More than 371,309 potentially affected vehicles

• 2003 – 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
• 2005 – 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
• 2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
• 2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
• 2008 – Dodge Ram 5500
• 2004 – 2008 Dodge Durango
• 2005 – 2008 Dodge Dakota
• 2005 – 2008 Chrysler 300
• 2007 – 2008 Chrysler Aspen
• 2005 – 2007 Dodge Charger
• 2005 – 2007 Dodge Magnum
• 2005 – 2007 Chrysler SRT8
• 2005 – 2007 Chrysler 300C

Ford: More than 58,669 potentially affected vehicles

• 2004 – 2005 Ranger
• 2005 – 2006 GT
• 2005 – 2008 Mustang

General Motors: undetermined total number of potentially affected vehicles

• 2003 – 2007 Pontiac Vibe
• 2005 – Saab 9 – 2X

Honda: More than 5,051,364 potentially affected vehicles

• 2001 – 2007 Honda Accord
• 2001 – 2005 Honda Civic
• 2002 – 2006 Honda CR – V
• 2003 – 2011 Honda Element
• 2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey
• 2003 – 2008 Honda Pilot
• 2006 – Honda Ridgeline
• 2003 – 2005 Acura MDX
• 2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL
• 2005 – Acura RL
• 2003 - Honda Civic Hybrid
• X-Trail sport utility vehicles

Mazda: More than 64,872 potentially affected vehicles

• 2003 – 2008 Mazda6
• 2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
• 2004 – 2008 Mazda RX
• 2004 – 2005 MPV
• 2004 – B Series Truck
• 2004 – 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
• 2006 – 2007 Mitsubishi Raider

Mitsubishi: More than 11,985 potentially affected vehicles

• 2004 – 2005 Lancer
• 2006 – 2007 Raider

Nissan: More than 694,626 potentially affected vehicles

• 2001 – 2003 Nissan Maxima
• 2001 – 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
• 2002 – 2004 Nissan Sentra
• 2001 – 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
• 2002 – 2003 Infiniti QX4
• 2003 – 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
• 2006 –  Infiniti M35
• 2006 –  Infiniti M45

Subaru: More than 17,516 potentially affected vehicles

• 2003 – 2005 Subarau Baja
• 2003 – 2005 Legacy
• 2003 – 2005 Outback
• 2003 – 2005 Baja
• 2004 – 2005 Impreza

Toyota: More than 877,000 potentially affected vehicles

• 2002 – 2007 Lexus SC
• 2002 – 2007 Toyota Corolla
• 2003 – 2007 Toyota Corolla Matrix
• 2002 – 2007 Toyota Sequoia
• 2003 – 2006 Toyota Tundra
• 2004 – 2005 Toyota Rav4

Saab:

• 2005 – Saab 9 – 2X