Takata Airbag Recall After 33 Deaths

Over the last decade, in the most prominent auto safety callback in history, Stellantis, a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation, has recalled more than 67 million Takata airbag inflators in the United States and more than 100 million worldwide. Since 2009, with more than 30 deaths worldwide, including 24 U.S. deaths, and hundreds of injuries in various automakers' vehicles, all roads seem to lead back to the Takata airbag inflators. The company revealed that the fuel used in the airbag inflator, due to long-term exposure to high-temperature fluctuations and humidity, could break down and eventually cause the airbag inflator to explode, unleashing dangerous and even life-threatening metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks.

If you believe you or a loved one has been affected or have been killed due to a defective Takata airbag inflator, one of our attorneys may be able to help you.

Who Has Been Affected by the Recall?

In the line of incidents reported during the decade-long recall, as confirmed by Stellantis and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association(NHTSA), the latest death, which was one of four within the last seven months, was due to the airbag inflators in a 2010 Chrysler 300. This past July, Stellantis also confirmed that a death was caused after an owner of a vehicle with defective airbags loaned their car to a family member; they were killed in a crash after the driver-side airbag ruptured on deployment.

Along with the previously mentioned incident in a 2010 Chrysler 300, another death was caused in the same month due to a defective Takata airbag inflator in a 2006 Ford Ranger pickup. The auto company also confirmed that a crash back in February killed the driver of a 2002 Honda Accord in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This death marks the 17th Honda incident involving the faulty Stellantis airbag inflators.

In November, after the most recent crash death report, Stellantis yet again urged owners of the 276,000 older U.S. vehicles to stop driving immediately and to submit their vehicles for repair. However, just 2,000 owners have gotten repairs since then.

Stellantis claims that they have made a total of 114 outreach attempts over the last seven years, reaching out to consumers roughly 210 million times using mail, courier service, e-mail, text messages, phone calls, as well as home visits. Yet, according to their reports, they have only been able to replace 6.1 million defective inflators.

In those attempted outreaches, the company has named off the following vehicles created from 2005 through 2010 with a "Do Not Drive" warning:

• Charger Muscle cars
• Chrysler 300 sedans
• Dodge Challenger 
• Dodge Magnum wagons

With the “do not drive” warning, they are also urging car owners to immediately seek out repairs for their vehicles to prevent any further incidents. In order to see if your car is on the recall list, you can enter your car's VIN number into the NHTSA website, or you can connect with one of our attorneys to help you.

How a Morgan & Morgan Attorney Can Help

When you decide to hire one of our attorneys, they will get straight to work on your case. After reviewing the initial case information, your attorney will gather and review any documentation and evidence relevant to your lawsuit. Your attorney and legal team will work round the clock with you to ensure you and your loved ones have the strongest case possible when fighting back against these major corporations.

Contact a Morgan & Morgan Attorney Today

According to the NHTSA, even minor crashes can result in exploding airbags that can kill or produce life-altering injuries. Older model-year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the airbag is one of the contributing factors. 

If you have been affected by the Takata airbag inflator or have yet to submit your car for repairs, you may be entitled to compensation. Navigating a lawsuit is no easy task; that's why at Morgan & Morgan, our team of over 1,000 highly specialized attorneys is here to help you every step of the way. Discover why Morgan & Morgan is America's top injury law firm today. With over 35 years of experience and over $20 billion won for our clients, we want to help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve to move forward with your life.

For more information regarding your case, you can contact our attorneys by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form today.