Defective products and auto parts place drivers, passengers, and everyone on public roadways at risk of suffering preventable harm. Because of this, federal regulators continually investigate potential defective products and prompt safety recalls should those products pose a significant danger. Just last month, federal officials with the Department of Transportation were finally successful in prompting one auto parts manufacturer to expand its nationwide recall over defective airbags.
In May, Takata Corporation - a Japanese auto parts maker - finally admitted that its airbags contained a potentially dangerous defect and that it would be expanding its U.S. recall to include nearly 34 million cars and trucks. Here is some more information about the recall.
- According to federal investigators and Takata, the faulty airbags contain a defect involving an airbag propellant that can cause them to explode with too much force during deployment. When this occurs, it can cause shrapnel to fly out and harm vehicle occupants. At least six deaths and several injuries have been associated with the defective airbags.
- The recall has now been expanded to include almost 34 million U.S. cars and trucks from a number of different automakers, including Honda, Toyota, GM, Mitsubishi, Nissan, BMW, and more.
Given the fact that the faulty airbags have already been linked to deaths and injuries, it becomes important for all motorists to take the recall seriously in order to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other members of the public. Here are some tips to stay safe:
- If you receive a recall notification, take it seriously and bring your vehicle in for service at a local dealer. Repairs for defective auto parts will be made at no cost to vehicle owners.
- If you are unsure if your vehicle has been recalled, you can call your local dealer, visit your automaker's website, or visit safecar.gov to use the VIN search tool for information about outstanding recalls.
As a firm that helps injured victims and families after they have suffered preventable harm caused by defective products, we want to remind all local individuals about the importance of taking recalls seriously. Government officials are also urging vehicle owners to take their recalled cars and trucks in for service.
If you have questions about product liability, your rights after being harmed by a dangerous product, and how our firm can help, contact a Ventura injury lawyer for a FREE consultation.
