Toyota and Honda Recall More Than 6 Million Cars for Defective Airbags

Toyota and Honda are recalling more than 6 million vehicles because of separate safety concerns affecting airbags. According to a report in the New York Post, Toyota’s recall covers about 3.4 million vehicles worldwide including 2.9 million here in the United States. These vehicles may have an electronic defect that could prevent airbags from deploying in the event of a crash. The problem could also prevent the vehicles’ seatbelt pretensioners from working properly. This recall affects Corolla, Matrix, Avalon and Avalon Hybrid cars from model years 2011 to 2019.

Details of the Honda Recall

Honda has recalled 2.7 million cars with potentially faulty inflators that could cause airbags to rupture and release deadly shrapnel into the passenger compartment. The recall of 2.4 million cars in the United States and 300,000 in Canada affects Honda and Acura vehicles from model years 1996 through 2003. These airbag inflators were manufactured by Takata, but are different from those that led to an unprecedented safety recall involving more than 40 million vehicles.

Honda said it knows of three cases of newly recalled inflators rupturing, one that occurred during a 2012 crash in Texas and two others that happened when vehicles were being scrapped in Japan. Honda has said the risk of improper airbag deployment in its vehicles remains “very low” but that it cannot guarantee the performance of any recalled part. Both Honda and Toyota have said vehicle owners will be notified by mail. Dealers will make the repairs at no cost to consumers as required by law.

Airbag Concerns and Liability Issues

Airbags are crucial vehicle parts that are supposed to protect vehicle occupants. When airbags fail to deploy during car accidents, there is a risk of serious injury to vehicle occupants because they won’t be adequately protected. When airbags fail to deploy, occupants could suffer serious injuries including multiple broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage and even fatal internal injuries. When airbag inflators don’t work as intended and cause the airbags to deploy with too much force, they could send shrapnel into the vehicle compartment causing catastrophic or fatal injuries to occupants.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to defective airbags, you may be able to seek compensation for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced auto defect lawyer will be able to help you evaluate your legal rights and options.

Source: https://nypost.com/2020/01/22/toyota-honda-recall-over-6-million-cars-due-to-airbag-worries/