Takata Corp is under increased pressure from the US Department of Transportation to recall over 42 million vehicles that were fitted with potentially deadly air bags. The Japanese auto air bag supplier has been ordered to recall vehicles fitted with the faulty airbags according the deadline schedule released by the government agency on Friday, December 9, 2016.
There are over 46 million Takata air bags that are believed to be defective. These air bags were installed in 29 million vehicles that were sold within the United States. The defective airbags are believed to have been responsible for the deaths of 11 people. They are also believed to be responsible for approximately 180 injuries.
Takata Corp were first issued with an order to recall vehicles installed with the faulty airbags by May 2016. However, the order was amended to provide a schedule that allows the automaker to replace parts in all 29 million vehicles. This move, according to the NHTSA, is aimed at achieving a 100 percent recall that ensures the safety of US drivers and passengers.
The order ensures that vehicles with the defective air bag inflators are removed from the road before they can present a significant risk to occupants of the vehicle. This promises to be the most complex and largest recall the US auto industry has ever seen. The recall will involve vehicles from 19 different automakers with Telsa Motors Inc having been added to the list recently.
The airbags were determined to be dangerous following research studies by three independent research organizations. The air bags were shown to rupture as a result of degradation caused by ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is used as a propellant to inflate the air bags. In some cases, the ammonium nitrate was ignited resulting in an explosion sending metals flying through the car cabin. The inflators were also seen to be damaged as a result of exposure to humidity. This was also shown to contribute to explosion hazards.
According to the studies, there is a 50% chance of the rupturing of the faulty air bag inflators when a car crash occurs. This renders the air bags not only useless, but also harmful to the occupants of the vehicle.
The NHTSA is doing everything possible to prevent injuries and deaths as a result of the faulty air bag inflators. The agency is working to increase consumer awareness and encourage owners of vehicles with faulty air bag inflators to return their vehicles to the dealerships.
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