Airbags are a relatively new safety apparatus in the lifetime of vehicles overall, only becoming standard in 1998. Since then they have proven to be able to save thousands of lives from front-end collisions and recently, with the introduction of side impact airbags, have increased safety. But, airbags have also found to be deadly.
The primary deadly effect is the way that they are propelled out of their compartment and the force in which the bag is inflated. This has been shown to be seriously detrimental to elderly people riding in the front. Particularly elderly women who have tend to have more brittle bones. It is also detrimental to children who honestly should not be riding in the front seat anyway.
But a new defect is now killing and injuring normal sized adults and prompting a massive recall announced by Honda Motor Company today.
Deadly Airbag Recall
Honda Motor Co. plans to recall 900,000 Honda and Acura vehicles for defective airbags and inspect an additional 603,000 vehicles. The inspections are intended to review whether cars that have been serviced for car accidents or airbag replacement were actually refitted with the defective airbags. Honda said it doesn’t know how many of those vehicles might have been repaired with the defective parts manufactured by parts supplier Takata in Japan.
There is suspicion that, in a car accident, the driver’s side airbag can deploy with so much force that the metal inflator casing that holds and channels explosive propellant can rupture causing metal and plastic shards to spray towards the driver causing them serious personal injury or wrongful death.
“The propellant was packed improperly and that allows the propellant to burn off too quickly and it explodes and pieces of the casing are causing the injuries,” said Chris Martin, a Honda spokesman.
Altogether, there have been 18 personal injuries and two deaths caused by the faulty airbags.
Not the First Honda Airbag Recall
This problem has plagued Honda in the past and has caused Honda to be far more diligent about their testing. Defective Honda airbags have prompted four previous recalls dealing the same issue. This latest recall – the largest of it’s kind — has expanded the total to more than 2.5 million vehicles in the U.S.
Honda’s actions come after a driver was personally injured in a vehicle that had not been part of the previous recalls pointing to a larger problem. This is driving concerns over the market that some people may still be driving unrepaired vehicles listed in previous recalls and also be driving with defective Takata products that may have been installed after the defect was initially discovered.
“We really need to get all these cars repaired and there are a lot of customers out there who have not brought their cars in after we have sent them mailers,” a Honda spokesperson said. “This is a very serious thing; people need to get their cars fixed. This is not something to wait on.“
We agree. All Honda drivers need to contact their dealer if they have an effected Honda.
Honda Vehicles Recalled
Honda confirmed that the problem does not affect any vehicles newer than the 2003 model year
The latest recall now includes:
- Honda Accord – 2001 and 2002
- Honda Civic – 2001 to 2003
- Honda Odyssey – 2001 to 2003
- Honda CR-V – 2002 and 2003
- Honda Pilot – 2003
- Acura 3.2 TL – 2002 and 2003
- Acura 3.2 CL – 2003
Honda will begin sending recall notices to owners of these vehicles later this month.
It also said the Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009 and select option 4; Acura owners can go to www.recalls.acura.com or call (800) 382-2238 and select option 4 to get more information.
Seattle Defective Airbag Attorney
The experimentation of side impact airbags should not be on customers. Extensive tests should be made prior to the car entering the market because these are very serious accidents that could lead to the loss of a loved one. A missed or faulty deployment could mean the difference between living through the accident and a life long disability or wrongful death. Please fully research your vehicle prior to purchase.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an car accident due to the negligence of another driver due to speeding, some of the best advice you can give is to find an attorney that is experienced in personal injury litigation. Call Phillips Law Firm for a free consultation on your legal rights.
