Expanded Takata Recall Becomes Largest Automotive Recall in American History

After denying airbag defects in their products for more than a decade, Takata doubled their recall of U.S. vehicles equipped with potentially dangerous airbags this past Tuesday, resulting in a total of almost 34 million recalled vehicles. Takata has been one of the largest suppliers of airbags for automobiles for several decades, and because of this expanded recall, one in seven U.S. cars is now recalled, making this the largest recall of automobiles in American history. To date, six deaths and over 100 injuries have resulted from the malfunctioning Takata airbags. Honda, Nissan, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, and BMW are among the automakers impacted by the faulty airbag system.

Takata was investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2009 for similar problems with their airbags. The case was shut down six months later due to inadequate evidence. However, reports as early as 2000 were discovered that blamed Takata for faulty airbag systems. The new discovery alludes to a flaw in the design of the airbags that causes excessive force from the gas that inflates the airbag, causing dangerous explosions.

Representatives from Takata stated that they were committed to working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and automakers to promote driver safety. More specifics about newly recalled makes and models are expected to come out in the next few days.