Nissan has recently issued a warning to owners of older vehicles, advising them to refrain from driving cars that are equipped with recalled Takata airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that approximately 83,920 vehicles are affected by this alert. These vehicles include models such as the 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4, all of which may have Takata airbags that were subject to a recall in 2020.
The NHTSA has explicitly stated that owners of these vehicles should not operate them until the necessary repairs have been made to replace the defective airbags. Failure to comply with this recommendation could result in serious injuries or fatalities. The age of the vehicles and the condition of the Takata airbag inflators pose a significant risk of explosion during airbag deployment, potentially releasing sharp metal fragments that can cause harm.
Tragically, there have been 27 confirmed fatalities in the United States caused by defective Takata airbags. Additionally, the NHTSA reports that around 400 individuals have sustained injuries as a result of incidents involving these airbags. The scale of the issue is substantial, with over 67 million Takata airbag inflators recalled in the U.S. alone, and more than 100 million recalled worldwide. This makes it one of the largest auto safety recalls in history.
In response to the warning issued by the NHTSA, Nissan and Infiniti, a division of Nissan, have promised affected owners complimentary towing and mobile repair services, as well as the provision of loaner vehicles in certain locations. This demonstrates a recognition of the urgency and seriousness of the situation by the automakers. It is vital for car manufacturers to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of their customers, particularly in cases involving potentially life-threatening defects.
Legal Ramifications for Takata
The severity of the issues surrounding Takata airbags led the company to file for bankruptcy protection in Japan and the United States in 2017. This action followed a settlement agreement requiring Takata to pay $1 billion in criminal penalties due to allegations of fraudulent behavior in the sale of defective airbag inflators. Such legal consequences underscore the significance of adhering to industry safety standards and regulations to prevent harm to consumers.