Takata filed for bankruptcy amid “the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Not only did this recall cost Japanese auto parts companies billions of dollars in losses, but the duration of this recall added further complexity.
Recalls did not take weeks or months to complete. In fact, the recalls are still ongoing and millions of vehicles are still on the road with dangerous airbags.
Please see below for information on Takata's recalls and affected vehicles.
1. What happened to Mr. Takada?
According to Reuters, Japanese auto parts company Takata filed for bankruptcy in June 2017 after years of multibillion-dollar recalls.
According to Reuters, Takata has agreed to be largely acquired by Key Safety Systems for $1.6 billion.
The billions of dollars the company lost came from recalls and lawsuits related to dangerous airbags.
2. What cars are affected by Takata airbags?
According to Consumer Reports, 34 car brands manufactured by 19 automakers were affected by the recall.
Officials say the dangerous airbags were mainly installed in cars from 2002 to 2015.
Vehicle owners can find out if their vehicle is subject to a recall using the Vehicle Identification Number on the NHTSA website. This information will appear if your vehicle has an open recall that requires repair.
NHTSA says if a problem occurs, owners should immediately call their dealer to repair the problem.
Some cars are listed below “Do not drive” warning. For these vehicles, NHTSA and the manufacturer strongly recommend that you do not drive the vehicle until it is repaired.
Certain Dodge, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Poniac, Toyota, Acura, BMW, and Chrysler vehicles will appear in the list. A complete list is available at NHTSA.gov.
According to NHTSA, Takata airbags can explode if deployed after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
NHTSA determined that the primary cause of the problem was “airbags that use ammonium nitrate-based propellants without the use of chemical desiccants.”
When a Takata airbag explodes, it can send metal fragments flying at the driver and passengers, potentially causing serious injury or even death.
According to NHTSA, 28 people have died in the U.S. since 2009 due to Takata airbags, including one in September 2024.
3. How many cars are affected by the Takata airbag recall?
According to NHTSA, approximately 67 million vehicles equipped with Takata airbags have been recalled.
As of April 2024 data, NHTSA reported that approximately 88% of airbags were repaired or replaced.
Many airbags are being repaired or replaced; Millions still on the streets Still contains dangerous products.
