8 Auto Brands, 12 Million Vehicles Affected – Massive Recall Over Takata Airbag Issue

MANILA: This might sound like the biggest recall ever made in the history of automobiles. 8 of the most prestigious automakers are recalling over 12 million drives in the United States over a potential danger due to Takata airbags inflators. Earlier to this, these brands have already recalled over 28.8 million cars in different slots and instalments to deal with the big crisis in an organised manner. The 8 automakers who are recalling their vehicles due to faulty airbag inflators are – Toyota, Subaru, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Honda, Ferrari and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. A couple of days ago only, Jeep recalled 37,372 units of its Wrangler manufactured between the years 2007 and 2010. This model has been recalled over airbag problem where there is an issue with the clockspring assembly which further hampers the deployment of airbags.

All the 8 auto companies are processing the recall on a priority basis to rectify the mistake and ensure the safety of the occupants. Earlier this month, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that there has been a sudden hike in the injuries on highways due to faulty airbags. As many as hundred serious injuries while 13 deaths have been registered so far across the world due to Takata airbags. The fault has been identified as the lack of material which is responsible for absorbing moisture in the airbag inflator. So, in the absence of this material, the heat and humidity degrade the ammonium-nitrate propellant in the airbag inflator which deploys the airbag with more than required force. This further sends the shrapnel to the occupants hurting them on face and neck which can be fatal.

Brand which are recalling their models over Takata airbags issue -

So while the numbers are huge and it will take the automakers some time to recall all the vehicles with faulty Takata airbags, they all have mutually decided to recall the older vehicles on priority. In an investigation, it is found that it takes more than 6 years for inflators to become unsafe and with years of exposure to heat, humidity and ageing may lead the chemical additive to prevent moisture absorption. Sometimes, the driving conditions and more exposure to extreme climate conditions may hamper this timeframe leading an early occurrence of this fault.

Though only 8 automakers are recalling their drives for now, but an estimation says that there are more than 17 automakers who would recall their vehicles due to Takata airbags issue and the exact number of faulty vehicles is almost impossible to find out. Another fact is that some of these cars might have already gone through the rectification process earlier for the driver side airbag only and now the same cars would have to go through the same process for the rectification of front passenger side airbag also. To ensure that this massive recall is addressed properly and the rectification process is not unnecessarily delayed, a massive fund has been established by the automakers for their respective models. The recall procedure has already been started by the automakers where they are contacting the owners of the faulty cars and sending them the authority letter through which they can contact the nearby authorised service center and get the rectification done.

Also Read: Chrysler Recall Scheduled - Brake Caliper May Break-Off