Ford issued a nationwide recall of Takata airbags as a result of a defect in the airbags. The airbags may explode in a crash and spray shrapnel. The fourth recall by Ford includes over 780,000 vehicles in the United States. The vehicles included in the recall are the 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX, the 2010 and 2011 Ford Ranger, the 2010 to 2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, the 2010 and 2011 Mercury Milan, and the 2010 to 2014 Ford Mustang. Ford will replace the defective airbags free of charge.
Takata used ammonium nitrate in the airbags. The chemical can deteriorate over time as it is exposed to heat and humidity. The deterioration can cause the airbag to explode with excessive force. The metal canister designed to contain the explosion has blown apart in some collisions and injured numerous individuals. At least twenty-three people have been killed around the world as a result of the defective airbag.
Nearly three hundred injuries worldwide are linked to defective inflators in airbags. The airbags with the highest degree of risk are located in the South near the Gulf of Mexico because of the high humidity and heat in that region. Reported injuries caused by Takata airbags include the following:
- Severe lacerations
- Eye injuries
- Skull Fractures
- Bleeding of the brain and
- Penetration wounds resembling stab or gunshot wounds
In several collisions, police first investigated the deaths of vehicle occupants as gunshot injuries and homicide because of the wounds caused by the shrapnel from the defective airbags. Many victims who survived their injuries have required emergency surgery, extensive medical care, and reconstructive surgery to repair facial injuries.
Ford will begin notifying car owners about the recall on February 18, 2019. Takata filed for bankruptcy as a result of the defective airbags. Takata sold most of its assets to pay for the fixes. Tens of millions of vehicles with Takata airbags in numerous makes and models of vehicles have been recalled. This is the largest auto industry safety recall in history. It involves nearly 100 million inflators among 19 major automakers. NHTSA reports that the airbags with the greatest risk of injuring and/or killing vehicle occupants are the 2001 to 2003 Honda and Acura vehicles and 2006 Ford Ranger and Mazda B-series trucks. Visit nhtsa.gov for a complete list of vehicles containing defective Takata airbags under recall.
If you believe that your vehicle may contain a defective Takata airbag, you may submit your VIN at the NHTSA website to confirm whether your vehicle is included in the recall. If your vehicle contains a defective airbag, do not waste time. Make an appointment with a dealership right away to have the defective airbag replaced.
Contact an Automobile Product Liability Attorney
When seeking compensation from an auto manufacturer, distributor, or retailer, it can be difficult to ensure your legal rights are protected properly and that your claim is given the attention and importance it deserves. The companies responsible for the defective airbag may actively try to limit their liability, making it more difficult for you to receive the compensation you deserve. A product liability attorney can make a significant difference, not only in proving liability but in seeking the full and fair value of your claim.
Patrick O’Hara has assisted clients throughout the United States with product liability lawsuits. The O’Hara Law Firm is dedicated to aiding consumers and helping them receive compensation for their injuries. If you have questions, call the O’Hara Law Firm for answers.