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ABC News reported in July 2017 that there were another 2.7 million vehicles added to the Takata recall list which already has 42 million vehicles needing airbag inflator replacements. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) reports that there are still 26 million unrepaired airbag inflator vehicles from previous recalls.

Now there is another Takata airbag problem.

Tests on Takata airbags showed that driver-side airbags can rupture because of the instability of the chemical drying agent which is used to keep the inflator fuel stable. This resulted in the additional 2.7 million-vehicle recall reported by ABC News. Honda confirmed on July 10, 2017 that the driver’s side airbag did rupture on June 18, 2016 on a 2001 Honda Accord. Mazda, following the 2.7 million vehicle recall, announced that about 19,000 B-series pickup trucks are affected, and Ford has about 2.2 million affected vehicles.

The previous Takata airbag inflator recalls were inflators that did not have a drying agent, but there are Takata airbag inflators that do have the drying agent.  Experts say that the fuel in the inflators is ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate becomes unstable in high temperatures and humidity and with age. Excess moisture is absorbed by the ammonium nitrate drying agent.

Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, ranking member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee said recently, “Takata has told the public that their line of airbag inflators with moisture absorbent was safe. The recall now raises serious questions about the threat posed by all of Takata’s ammonium nitrate-based airbags. If even more are found to be defective, it will take us from the biggest recall ever to something that could become mindboggeling. That’s why government regulators need to step up the pace of figuring out whether all remaining Takata airbag inflators are safe.”

If you are unsure whether your vehicle has been recalled due to a potentially faulty Takata airbag, you can enter the VIN (vehicle identification number) at this NHTSA website http://www.safercar.org which is dedicated to the recall.

“Defective Takata airbags have caused serious injuries and deaths in the past. The fact that there are still unrepaired Takata airbags on the road today and more are recalled because of drying agent problems, represents serious problems for drivers everywhere. We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. have the experienced team to assist you and your family should you be injured in a vehicle accident caused by defective airbags,” said Randall Spivey, Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney.

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, 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.