Are You Sure You Got Your Defective Airbags Repaired?

Recall May Require a Second Trip to the Dealership

Chrysler, Honda and Toyota have issued a follow-up recall of 2.12 million vehicles. Many customers have already had repairs made under the initial recall. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that the initial recall did not entirely fix the problem. Also, consumers who did not respond to the first recall are being told to do so now.

The defective airbags are at risk of inadvertently deploying. Already, approximately 400 airbags have randomly deployed in the affected cars. Fortunately, nobody has died because of the malfunction, but three people have been injured.

39 of the inadvertent airbag deployments occurred in vehicles that were repaired under an earlier recall. The first recall required installation of filters or wire harnesses that protected the key circuit from sustaining dangerous electronic damage. The second recall involves replacement of the electronic control module. The problem originates from defects in the parts made by American supplier TRW Automotive.

This is a different issue from the recall of airbags produced by Takata. The Takata recall remedied the high velocity explosion of canisters during airbag deployment that caused metal fragments to shoot into the vehicle’s interior. Several people were killed or seriously injured by the shards of metal.

Which Vehicles Are Effected By the Recall?

In this second airbag recall, Toyota is recalling about 1 million vehicles, American Honda is recalling 374,177 cars and Fiat Chrysler is recalling 753,176.

The vehicles affected by this second recall are:

  • 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty
  • 2002-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees
  • 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey
  • 2003 Acura MDX
  • 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe
  • 2003-2004 Dodge Viper
  • 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla
  • 2003-2004 Toyota Matrix
  • 2003-2004 Toyota Avalon

However, some of the recall parts may not be available until end of the year, meaning drivers may have to wait to have their cars repaired.

Manufacturing Defects Make Life-Saving Technology Dangerous

Airbags are considered one of the most important life-saving technologies on the market. Frontal airbags are mandated in all vehicles starting in the 1999 model year. Most auto manufacturers also build side airbags into their vehicles.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, frontal airbags have reduce deaths of drivers involved in frontal accidents by 29 percent and deaths of front-seat passengers who are older than age 12 by 32 percent. Side airbags reduce deaths of drivers involved in driver side wrecks by 37 percent. That statistic increases to 52 percent for drivers of SUVs.

No doubt, properly functioning airbags are a crucial automobile safety measure. But, the numerous manufacturing defects have transformed this life-saving invocation into a deadly problem. From here on out, manufacturers need to stop trying to cut corners to earn profits and instead put a safe product on the road in the first place.

Learn More About Recovering If You Were Injured By a Faulty Airbag

Learn more about your rights to compensation if you were injured by a defective airbag. Call Berenson Law Firm toll-free at 888-801-8585 or at 817-885-8000 from within the Dallas-Fort Worth area to schedule a free consultation.

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