Twenty-two people have died as a result of faulty Takata-made airbags throughout the world. However, this is probably not the end of the death toll, as millions of vehicles with faulty and dangerous Takata airbags remain unfixed on the road. Not only do these cars represent a deadly risk to their drivers and passengers — because of the way Takata airbags can explode and shoot hot-metal shrapnel like bullets coming out of a bomb into the bodies of their victims — but when they strike, they leave a tragic mark on the families, relatives, friends and community members who were close to their victims.
The most dangerous Takata airbags are referred to as “Alphas.” These are airbags on the side of the driver that have a 50 percent chance of exploding upon impact. There are 62,307 people driving vehicles with these airbags right now, and safety experts think that they either don’t know their cars are affected or they never received the recall notice. The cars have changed hands so many times by now that it’s difficult for Honda and regulators to track them down.
Considering how many millions of Takata airbags have been recalled, it’s difficult to know for sure how many remain unrepaired throughout the world, but it’s safe to say that the number is in the millions, and some unrepaired vehicles pose a more elevated risk than others. Make sure you look up the vehicles that belong to your family members and friends to ensure that no Takata airbag recalls apply to them. Also, if you or a loved one was injured or killed by one of these devices, investigate your legal options as soon as possible.
Source: LA Times, “10 years after Takata recall began, thousands of ‘time bomb’ air bags are still on the road,” Ashley Halsey III, May 23, 2018