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Chicago Takata Airbag Injury Lawyers
Takata airbags have been sued in a putative class action lawsuit
Takata Corp., a Japanese airbag manufacturer, is under siege for supplying faulty and defective airbags and airbag components to the world’s largest auto companies. In 2010, Kristy Williams was one of the first casualties of defective Takata airbags. While driving a 2001 Honda Civic, shrapnel from the airbag inflators severed her carotid artery.
More recently, crashes have left drivers with metal shards in their eyes. The company is experiencing increased scrutiny from regulators and lawyers as the injuries continue to mount. A Takata airbag recall has been especially concerning because the company produces nearly 25% of airbag inflators in the world.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective Takata airbag, you may be eligible to file a damages lawsuit.
Takata Airbag Dangers
Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata and several auto giants that use Takata airbags have been sued in a putative class action lawsuit. The complaint alleges that the airbag manufacturer and the car companies sold unsafe vehicles and purposely hid airbag defects from consumers and safety officials.
Have you or someone you love been affected by this recall?
The auto accident class action lawyers at GWC Injury Lawyers are ready to assist you with all of your recalled vehicle injuries and questions.
Contact us today by calling Toll Free 1-312-757-7462. Alternatively, simply click on the “Live Chat” button on this page to speak with one of our representatives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The primary danger in Takata airbags is shrapnel. Vehicles with Takata airbags have a faulty airbag inflator that punctures the airbags and embeds metal fragments into the face, neck, chest, and torso of vehicle occupants.
Since 2008, 14 million vehicles with Takata-related airbags have been recalled. Of the 14 million cars recalled, more than seven million have been recalled in the last 18 months. There are at least four confirmed Takata airbag-related deaths.
Takata Employee Allegations
Two former employees of Takata have come forward with allegations that the company secretly tested defective airbags in 2004 and deleted all evidence from the company’s computers. The New York Times has reported that these secret tests were conducted outside of normal work hours in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Takata’s North American headquarters.
The company is alleged to have conducted tests to determine whether airbags removed from junkyards were susceptible to rupturing and likely to release shrapnel. According to the report, officials at Takata were able to confirm that the airbags were in fact dangerous.
The company, however, failed to warn anyone of the dangers. As the recall notices and allegations about the company’s knowledge continue to mount, more and more injured passengers and drivers are stepping forward to declare their injuries in what is rapidly becoming a potentially large class action lawsuit.
What Should I Do If I Have a Takata Airbag?
You should first identify whether your car is listed among the brands and models in the following tab to the right that have been made with defective Takata airbags. If so, you must act to replace the defective parts as soon as possible.
The NHTSA has expressed concerns that Takata would not be able to keep up with airbag inflator replacement parts…
You will receive recall safety notices in the mail, but you can also access them online through SaferCar.gov once they are available. Consumers are advised to follow the instructions contained in the recall notices very carefully. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has urged owners of affected vehicles to immediately replace defective Takata airbags.
Additionally, the NHTSA has required car manufacturers to maintain recall websites that detail the make, model, year, and assorted information about all pending and in progress recalls for the last 15 years.
The NHTSA has expressed concerns that Takata would not be able to keep up with airbag inflator replacement parts. While the dealerships and auto manufacturers are working together to expedite the recall process, Takata is being ordered to increase its capacity to produce safe airbag inflators.
"The NHTSA has expressed concerns that Takata would not be able to keep up with airbag inflator replacement parts…"
What Cars Have the Takata Defects?
BMW
- 2000 2005 3 Series Sedan
- 2000 2006 3 Series Coupe
- 2000 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
- 2000 2006 3 Series Convertible
- 2001 2006 M3 Coupe
- 2001 2006 M3 Convertible
Chrysler
- 2003 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
- 2005 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
- 2006 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
- 2006 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
- 2008 Dodge Ram 5500
- 2005 2008 Dodge Durango
- 2005 2008 Dodge Dakota
- 2005 2008 Chrysler 300
- 2007 2008 Chrysler Aspen
Ford
- 2004 Ranger
- 2005 2006 GT
- 2005 2007 Mustang
General Motors (GM)
- 2003 2005 Pontiac Vibe
- 2005 Saab 9-2X
Honda
- 2001 2007 Honda Accord
- 2001 2002 Honda Accord
- 2001 2005 Honda Civic
- 2002 2006 Honda CR-V
- 2003 2011 Honda Element
- 2002 2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 2007 Honda Pilot
- 2006 Honda Ridgeline
- 2003 2006 Acura MDX
- 2002 2003 Acura TL/CL
- 2005 Acura RL
Mazda
- 2003 2007 Mazda6
- 2006 2007 MazdaSpeed6
- 2004 2008 Mazda RX-8
- 2004 2005 MPV
- 2004 B-Series Truck
Mitsubishi
- 2004 2005 Lancer
- 2006 2007 Raider
Nissan
- 2001 2003 Nissan Maxima
- 2001 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2002 2004 Nissan Sentra
- 2001 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
- 2002 2003 Infiniti QX4
- 2003 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
Subaru
- 2003 2005 Baja
- 2003 2005 Legacy
- 2003 2005 Outback
- 2004 2005 Impreza
Toyota
- 2002 2005 Lexus SC
- 2002 2005 Toyota Corolla
- 2003 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
- 2002 2005 Toyota Sequoia
- 2003 2005 Toyota Tundra
Directions to our Chicago Office
GWC Injury Lawyers
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-757-7462