Feds Hit Takata With Daily Fine On Airbag Probe

Federal auto safety regulators have slapped Takata Corporation with a $14,000 per-day fine for failing to properly cooperate with an investigation of its faulty airbags.

According to a Reuters news report, regulators with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have also revealed that a fraction of the 17 million cars recalled because of the problems have been repaired.

Takata, a Japanese auto parts supplier, is still dealing with a major recall and investigation related to defective airbags prone to rupture unexpectedly expelling shrapnel into vehicle compartments, which can seriously injured or even kill occupants.

Lack of Cooperation Alleged

Defective Takata airbag inflators have been linked to at least six deaths and dozens of injuries. Takata has not complied with two orders issued by safety officials last year requiring documentation and other material to aid an investigation into the faulty airbags.

Furthermore, the government is accusing Takata of dumping more than 2.4 million pages of documents on NHTSA without any guide or explanation of the content. NHTSA officials say they have repeatedly asked Takata to help make sense of the deluge of documents.

But they have been met with no response. However, Takata has disagreed saying that they have tried to help and cooperate. Regulators also say Takata has not repaired 90 percent of the vehicles recalled for the defective Takata airbags, as of December 31.

NHTSA has urged owners of the recalled vehicles to fix the problem quickly, except, there have been no fixes available to consumers.

Holding Manufacturers Accountable

As auto product liability lawyers who help those who have been severely injured by defective autos and auto parts, we are pleased to note that NHTSA is finally taking some action against this auto parts maker that has apparently made attempts to cover up information and failed to cooperate with the federal investigation.

What is even more unacceptable is the fact that it has made little effort to help consumers repair their vehicles. Millions of consumers are still driving in vehicles that could potentially severely or fatally injure them.

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one as a result of these Takata defective airbags, please contact a nationally renowned auto defect law firm that can help you fight for your rights and hold the manufacturer accountable.

Bisnar Chase will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.