Federal Regulators Urge Vehicle Owners with Defective Airbags to Take Immediate Action
On October 22nd, federal officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a consumer advisory concerning defective airbags. According to the advisory, American consumers who own recalled vehicles with airbag defects are urged to “take immediate action” and take their cars or trucks in for service.
The advisory comes in response to the roughly 7.8 million U.S. vehicles that have been recently recalled due to issues with defective airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation. The problem, according to automakers, is that the airbags can malfunction during deployment, rip open, and tear apart from the system.
When this happens, metal fragments and materials from the airbag can be propelled at drivers and passengers.
Is Your Vehicle Affected?
The NHTSA is urging affected owners of vehicles to take immediate action. If your vehicle has been recalled – vehicle owners should receive safety recall notifications via mail from vehicle manufacturers – you can take it to a local dealer for the necessary service. There should be no cost for this service.
According to the NHTSA, various models of cars and trucks from the following manufacturers may be affected:
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If you’re not sure if your vehicle has been recalled, you can view the consumer advisory or use the NHTSA VIN search feature.
In the past year and a half, defective Takata airbags have been associated with several injuries and deaths. Because auto part manufacturers are required to make sure their products are safe, victims and families have stepped forward to file lawsuits in an attempt to recover their damages.
Should I Respond to the Recall?
It is important to respond to the recall from the Federal Safety Regulators. The airbags in recalled vehicles have a serious defect that can cause shrapnel and other pieces of material to be propelled at drivers and passengers when they deploy. This has already led to several injuries and deaths, making it even more critical to get your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
The good news is that many automakers are offering free repairs and replacement parts if you own a vehicle that has been recalled. So it’s essential to take the National Recall seriously, and get your car serviced as soon as possible.
Does My Location Matter?
No matter where you live, the NHTSA’s advisory applies to recalled vehicles regardless of their location. The defective airbags in these vehicles can cause serious injury or death, which is why it’s important to get your vehicle serviced immediately.
Even if you don’t think that your vehicle has been affected by the massive recalls, it’s still a good idea to check with the manufacturer or use the NHTSA VIN search tool to double check.
Should I Drive Until the Fix Is Made?
If you are worried about driving your vehicle before the recall is fixed, there are a few steps you can take to protect yourself and your passengers. First, if you receive a recall notice from your car’s manufacturer it is important that you read it carefully and follow its instructions. Many automakers will offer loaner vehicles or rental discounts for customers who need to get their recalled vehicles serviced.
In addition to reading recall notices and following instructions, you may want to consider installing a breathable mesh barrier between the driver and passenger seats. This can help protect occupants from airbag debris in case of malfunction. You should also avoid placing objects like purses or other loose items on the passenger seat, as they can become projectiles if the airbag inflators deploy unexpectedly.
Finally, if you own an affected vehicle and have not received a recall notice, contact your manufacturer to find out more information.
Shook & Stone: Your Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney
At Shook & Stone, our Las Vegas car accident attorneys have helped many victims and families harmed by unsafe and defective auto parts. If you or someone you love has been injured in an auto accident, or have questions about your rights, defective airbags, and how our firm can help, then contact Shook & Stone today.
Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys have years of experience helping victims recover damages and will fight for your right to compensation.