Latest Blogs

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, June 24, 2014 that Toyota Motor Corp, BMW AG, Chrysler Group LLC and Ford Motor Company, in addition to Honda, Mazda and Nissan, were going to conduct recalls in Florida and Puerto Rico on vehicles which are equipped with Takata air bags.  They will also be targeting the southern states and territories which have hot, humid weather.

The defective air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. of Japan have led to recalls since 2009 of over 10 million vehicles.  The company said it knows of at least six incidents in either Florida or Puerto Rico where the cylinder-shaped inflators exploded.  The explosions caused metal fragments to fly.  In an August 2013 accident, a driver of a 2005 Honda Civic lost his sight and had facial lacerations which required 100 stitches as the result of the air bag's defect. The NHTSA investigation into the air bag problems was prompted by these incidents.

Takata Chief Executive, Shigehisa Takada said last week, "We currently believe the high levels of absolute humidity in those states are important factors; and as a result our engineers are analyzing the impact that humidity may have on the potential for an inflator malfunction, as well as other possible contribution factors."

The Wall Street Journal further reported that,  "NHTSA says that based on the limited data available now, it wants to support efforts by auto makers to respond to 'the immediate risks in areas that have consistently hot, humid conditions over extended period of time.' The agency has told car makers the purpose of the limited recalls was to collect air bag parts to help with the investigation."

The executive director, Clarence Ditlow, of Center for Auto Safety, an auto safety watchdog, said that the limited recalls will not typically ensure that all the vehicles affected by the program will be fixed.  The limited recalls will be directed by the auto makers based on where the vehicle was sold and vehicle registration information.  Owners whose vehicles are affected will get an envelope using the NHTSA's required label "Important Safety Recall Information", and will get their vehicles fixed for free. 

Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. says, "If you have any of the defective vehicles, regardless of where it was purchased, do not wait for a recall notice but have it inspected by the dealer immediately.  The results of explosions of the Takada air bags can be devastating to drivers and occupants of the affective vehicles."

Here is a list of some of the models which are in line for new air bag inflators according to the NHTSA:

Honda - 2001-2005 Civics, 2001-2007 4-cylinder Accords, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and others not specifically mentioned.

Nissan - 2001-2003 Maxima, Pathfinder, I30/I35, and others not specifically mentioned.

Mazda - 2003-2007 Mazda 6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and others not specifically mentioned.

Toyota - 2003-2005 Corolla, Matrix, Sequoia, Tundra, and others not specifically mentioned.

Dodge - 2006 Charger

Ford - 2005-2007 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004 Ranger

BMW - Certain 3 Series.

Florida Unsafe Vehicles Lawyer,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.