Ever since Takata airbag recalls began in the mid-to-late 2000s, the number of vehicles affected has only been expanding. Takata airbags use ammonium nitrate to create the small explosion that deploys the airbag. The problem is that ammonium nitrate can deteriorate, especially in hot and humid climates. When it deteriorates, the explosion can become more powerful, sending deadly shrapnel flying throughout the vehicles. Almost two dozen people have been killed by the airbags and hundreds have suffered serious injuries. Even though millions of vehicles have been recalled, there’s a problem: a lot of people just aren’t getting their airbags replaced.
Local 12 Cincinnati reports on a new way to spread the word about the airbag recalls and possibly earn some cash doing it.
By the end of 2019, the Takata airbag recall is expected to expand to include 19 different auto manufacturers and 70 million airbags.
While the number of affected airbags alone is mind-boggling, an even more astonishing number is that only about 1/3 of affected vehicles so far have been repaired. This means that there are millions of vehicles out on the roads that have a possibly deadly defect.
Auto dealers have been sending emails, snail mail, making phone calls, putting ads on social media. A few companies have been going door to door searching for the owners of these vehicles.
Toyota teamed with Carma Project in an effort to get the word out about the Takata recall. More importantly, they’re offering cash to those who help others get their vehicles fixed.
The program works by sharing the message on social media. If someone such as a friend or family member schedules their repair through the Carma platform, you can earn $55 for each repaired vehicle.
So far, only Toyota has come on board, but Carma hopes to convince other manufacturers to join the effort.
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