It’s been a bad year for vehicle recalls. Just months ago General Motors recalled large numbers of its vehicles due to a faulty ignition that was responsible for a huge number of injuries and deaths. In the most recent news, Honda Motor has announced that it would expand its investigative recall centered on the faulty Takata air bags installed in a numbers of its cars. An enhanced expansion would add to the 2.6 million vehicles Honda has already recalled in the United States. All told, the company is set to recall nearly 5.4 million vehicles in the U.S. alone.
In a separate but related announced, manufactured Mazda Motor also said it would be recalling some of its own vehicles that come installed with the lethal air bags. With them added to the recall, the total Takata recall could reach 20 million with a medley of other well-known manufacturers taking part.
The latest announcements are just the most recent step in an investigative recall that dates back nearly seven years. The problem started when motorists noticed that air bags would release metal shrapnel into their vehicles when they deployed. This serious malfunction caused about five drivers to die and others to sustain major injuries. Eventually the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered Takata to recall the vehicles and even ordered an increased recall when it deemed the company’s actions insufficient. Thus far the manufacturer has refused to comply, citing NHTSA as lacking proper authority to order the expanded recall.
The problem goes farther than the U.S., with other cars operating in Japan with the same problem. However, Japan’s regulators do not have the authority to issue a recall, which has caused many to call for a change in the law to allow for investigative recalls. This change could save the lives of Japanese drivers in danger from these faulty air bags.
After a serious car accident due to a defective automotive part, you may need to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Meet with the skilled Florida auto accident lawyers at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.