Last month, Japanese auto part maker Takata announced that it would be expanding its recall of U.S. cars and trucks fitted with defective airbags. The expansion brought the recall to 34 million U.S. vehicles, making it the largest auto recall in American history. 53 million vehicles have been recalled worldwide.
As part of the recall, Takata admitted that its airbags contained a dangerous defect that could cause airbags to rupture and explode during deployment. This could cause metal shards and shrapnel to fly around the vehicle cabin. A number of injuries and several deaths have been linked to issue.
Less than a month after the recall was expanded, Takata officials have told U.S. safety regulations that the company will no longer use ammonium nitrate as a propellant in its airbag inflators. The chemical is known to be a volatile chemical that can potentially cause airbags to deploy with too much force.
Although a definitive cause of the airbag defect has not yet been determined, officials have stated that discontinuing the use of ammonium nitrate can make them safer. Still, federal regulators and Takata are working to determine the exact problem with Takata’s airbag inflators.
Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs is currently investigating cases involving faulty Takata airbags. If you or someone you love has been harmed in an auto accident that may have involved a defective airbag, our legal team is available to review your case and explain your rights during a free consultation.
