Things You Should Know About The Takata Airbag Recall

by Lyndon Bell

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October 24, 2014

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3 min. Reading Time

crash test dummy

As you have no doubt heard, a mjor recall has recently been publicized regarding the potential for certain airbags manufactured by the Takata Company to expel shrapnel when deployed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has confirmed the number of affected models in the Takata airbag recall is approximately 7.78 million. The bags involved are mostly installed in cars built between 2000 and 2007, although some Honda Element models containing the bags were built as recently as 2011.

Background

While the recall has actually been in place since 2008, it is only now gaining mainstream interest because of a recent spate of incidents in which the bags caused considerable injury to drivers. Four deaths and at least 30 injuries have been attributed to the Takata airbags to date.

Under certain conditions, upon deployment of the bag in an accident, the canister containing the airbag's inflation propellant explode. This has been sending flying shrapnel through the cars in which they are installed. It is reported Honda, Takata’s biggest company knew about the problem back in 2004, but recalls weren’t announced until 2008.

The problem seems to be most severe in warm weather climates where heat and high humidity are believed to make the explosions more likely.

In the following galleries, you’ll find an entire list of the affected models listed by manufacturer.