Officials are reporting that over 200,000 Alabama residents are driving with defective airbags. Approximately 700,000 airbags were originally identified as defective in Alabama. As of August 2019, roughly 35% of these airbags remain unrepaired.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 41.6 million vehicles are equipped with defective Takata airbags. The airbags are under recall due to the fact they can explode during deployments, causing serious injury and death.
The NHTSA strongly urges all vehicle owners to:
Over time, exposure to high heat and humidity increases the risk and potential of a serious injury, or even death during an airbag deployment. The NHTSA considers Alabama to be a “Zone A” region - the most dangerous and time sensitive designation.
Alabama residents should also be aware, certain 2001-2003 Honda & Acura vehicles, as well as 2006 Ford Rangers and Mazda B-series trucks are at a far higher risk of a life threatening airbag explosion.
The vehicles below are on the NHTSA’s “Do not drive list” and should be repaired immediately.
2001-2002 Honda Civic
2001-2002 Honda Accord
2002-2003 Acura TL
2002 Honda CR-V
2002 Honda Odyssey
2003 Acura CL
2003 Honda Pilot
Certain 2006 Ford Ranger (Ford advises do not drive)
Certain 2006 Mazda B-Series (Mazda advises do not drive)
New test data on the defective Takata airbag inflators in these vehicles show a far higher risk of ruptures during air bag deployment than for other recalled Takata air bags.
If you have identified your vehicle to have a defective air bag, it is imperative you have the repair done as soon as possible. Recall repairs are 100% free and parts for high risk vehicles are in good supply in Alabama Dealerships. Many are offering free towing and even a loaner vehicle to assist affected owners.
Vehicle manufacturers are making several outreach efforts to alert and help Alabama vehicle owners schedule their free recall repairs. Examples of these efforts include:
For more information about these and other efforts by affected vehicle manufacturers, please visit:
Audi USAhttps://www.audiusa.com/about/takataBMW of North Americawww.bmwusa.com/recallDaimler Trucks North Americahttps://alliancetruckparts.com/sterlingDaimler Vans USAhttps://www.mbvans.com/sprinter/owners-resources/recallhttps://www.freightlinersprinterusa.com/freightliner/owners-resources/recallFCA US LLCwww.checktoprotect.orghttps://chryslerpr.com/noticiasFerrari North America, Inc.https://auto.ferrari.com/en_US/owners/recall-campaign/ Ford Motor Companyhttp://fordairbaginfo.com/LincolnAirbagInfo.com General Motorswww.gmtakataairbag.com or 1-866-467-9700American Honda Motor Companywww.hondaairbaginfo.comInfiniti USAhttps://www.infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall.html Jaguar Land Rover North Americawww.jaguarusa.com/airbagrecallwww.landroverusa.com/airbagrecallMazda North American Operationshttps://www.mazdarecallinfo.com/McLaren Automotivehttps://cars.mclaren.com/ownership/america/recall Mercedes-Benz USA, LLCwww.mbusa.com/recall Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.https://www.mitsubishicars.com/recall or (888) 648-7820Nissan North America, Inc.https://www.nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall.html Subaru of America, Inc.https://www.subaru.com/vehicle-recalls/airbags.html Tesla, Inc.https://www.tesla.com/vin-recall-search Toyotawww.toyota.com/recallhttps://www.carmaproject.com/homehttps://pressroom.toyota.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=1052Volkswagen Group of Americahttps://www.vw.com/owners-recalls/
If you are a loved one have been seriously injured or killed by a defective airbag, our attorneys are ready to help. Call Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann today for a free case evaluation.
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