The Takata Airbag Recall is one of the more egregious betrayals of public trust in automotive history. Takata, a major air bag producer, knowingly used a cheap, volatile ingredient in its manufacturing of millions of airbags. From 2000 to 2008 the company kept quiet about these defects. At least 10 people have been killed and many more brutally injured because of these defective air bags.

Our firm founder John Foy says, “In my more than 20 years of practice, this Takata case is one of the most outrageous examples of corporate greed and negligence.”

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Takata Airbag accident, or if you have questions about this case, call our Takata Airbag Recall Lawsuit Attorneys at John Foy & Associates, 404-400-4000. We are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions.

Why is there a class action lawsuit filed against Takata?

There are at least six class action lawsuits against Takata, and a few auto manufacturers, including Honda, according to Bloomberg News Service. These suits are for personal injuries as well as the economic loss of value of the more than 7.8 vehicles that were recalled because of defective Takata airbags. Toyota, after one such class action suit, pledged $1.6 billion and is in the process of resolving cases.

Almost as outrageous, cars that have had replacement airbags installed may have those replacements recalled as well.

What caused the airbags manufactured by Takata to be defective?

Simply put, the pursuit of a cheaper and easier path led to these defective airbags. Takata replaced a safe chemical compound ingredient with a volatile compound simply because the compound was so much cheaper. In addition, Takata executives admitted to knowing about these defects, but still continued to supply car manufacturers with millions of airbags.

What is the back story behind the Takata Corporation?

Takata Corporation was founded in Shiga, Japan, in 1933. Initially built as a parachute company, Takata was one of the innovators of the two-point seat belts used in cars today. In fact, it built the first crash-test plant in the world. However, its reputation was first sullied in 1995 with a seat-belt recall. And in 2014, Takata executives admitted to the New York Times that they knew their plants in Mexico were not properly storing the chemicals used to manufacture airbags. The Times suggests that because there are only three global suppliers of airbags car manufacturers continued to use Takata airbags.

How many deaths and injuries were caused by the Takata Airbags?

At least 10 injuries worldwide have been caused by Takata Airbags, including the recent death of a Georgia man who was driving in South Carolina. More than 100 people have claimed injuries by these defective airbags.

What types of injuries were caused by the Takata Airbags?

Because these defective airbags cause a shrapnel-like explosion, these injuries can be quite horrific, mimicking a shooting or knifing death. In fact, the first few airbag deaths were investigated as homicides because investigators assumed the victims had been shot or stabbed.

Injuries include:

Eye injuries, including blindness, from flying shrapnel
Skull and other bone fractures
Blunt force trauma
Trauma to organs
Scrapes and bruises
Head, neck and spine injuries
Hearing loss
Paralysis

What are the make and models of the automobiles affected by the defective Takata Airbags?

The government has listed the vehicles affected by the defective Takata Airbags at http://www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/takatalist.html.

You can also check your car by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at this website: https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/. We urge you to contact your local dealership and get your car repaired. It should be free of charge. Please let us know if an unscrupulous dealer charges you. Call our attorneys at 404-400-4000.

Honda has a recall site to check your VIN to see if your car needs new airbags.

Here is the most recent list (December 2015) list of makes and models taken directly from the government website:

BMW:

2000 328i
2001-2006 M3
2002-2003M5
2000 323i
2002-2006 325Ci
2002-2006 330Ci
2002-2003 325iT
2002-2003 325XiT
2001-2006 325i
2001-2005 325Xi
2001-2006 330i
2001-2005 330Xi
2002-2003 525i
2002-2003 530i
2002-2003 540i
2003 X5 3.0i
2003 X5 4.4i

FCA (Chrysler):

2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen
2005-2010 Chrysler 300
2005-2010 Chrysler 300C
2005-2010 Chrysler SRT8
2008-2010 Dodge Challenger
2006-2010 Dodge Charger
2005-2011 Dodge Dakota
2004-2008 Dodge Durango
2005-2008 Dodge Magnum
2003-2009 Dodge Ram 1500
2003-2009 Dodge Ram 2500
2003-2009 Dodge Ram 3500
2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500
2008-2010 Dodge Ram 5500

Daimler Trucks North America:

2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 4500

2008-2009 Sterling Bullet 5500

Daimler Vans USA LLC:

2007-2008 Dodge Sprinter 2500
2007-2008 Dodge Sprinter 3500
2007-2008 Freightliner Sprinter 2500
2007-2008 Freightliner Sprinter 3500

Ford:

2004-2006 Ranger
2005-2006 GT
2005-2014 Mustang

General Motors (GM):

2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500
2007-2008 GMC Sierra 3500
2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe
2005 Saab 9-2x

Honda:

2001-2007 Accord
2001-2005 Civic
2003-2005 Civic Hybrid
2001-2004 Civic CNG
2002-2006 CR-V
2003-2011 Element
2002-2004 Odyssey
2003-2008 Pilot
2006 Ridgeline
2003 Acura CL
2002-2003 Acura TL
2003-2006 Acura MDX
2005 Acura RL

Mazda:

2004-2006 B-Series Truck
2003-2008 Mazda6
2006-2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed6
2004-2005 MPV
2004-2008 RX-8

Mitsubishi:

2004-2006 Lancer
2004-2006 Lancer Evolution
2004 Lancer Sportback
2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider

Nissan:

2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
2001 Infiniti I30
2003-2005 Infiniti FX35
2003-2005 Infiniti FX45
2002-2004 Infiniti I35
2006 Infiniti M35
2006 Infiniti M45
2002-2003 Infiniti QX4

Subaru:

2003-2005 Baja
2004-2005 Impreza
2003-2008 Legacy
2003-2008 Outback

Toyota:

2003-2007 Corolla
2003-2007 Corolla Matrix
2004-2005 Rav4
2002-2007 Sequoia
2003-2006 Tundra
2002-2007 Lexus SC

What caused this to happen?

In 2001, Takata replaced a long-time used chemical compound, tetrazole, with a less expensive one called ammonium nitrite. Unfortunately, ammonium nitrite is not a stable compound and breaks down in hot and humid conditions. Ammonium nitrite was used in the homemade bomb that exploded in Oklahoma City in 1995. This chemical reaction to heat and humidity causes the breakdown of these airbags, and this is why humid parts of the country, such as Georgia, Florida and Southern California have been particularly affected.

Is the United States Government taking action?

The United States government has taken action, forcing a recall, as well as fining Takata $70 million for failing to promptly disclose the defect. The penalty can increase to $130 million if Takata does not obey the agreement it made with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to the New York Times.

Was there a recall on the defective Takata Airbags?

Yes, there was a massive recall on defective Takata Airbags for many cars manufactured from 2000 to 2008. This list is contained on this government website, http://www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/takatalist.html

What are the allegations being filed against the Takata corporation and the automobile manufacturers?

The government states that Takata and car manufacturer Honda knew about these defects in 2004 and did not notify the NHTSA. The Wall Street Journal found internal company memos that showed that Takata knew about the airbag defects as early as 2000, four years before Honda started testing these airbags.

If I or a loved one was injured or killed due to the defective Takata Airbags what steps should I take?

If you or a loved one was injured, or if a loved one was killed, due to a defective airbag, we are devastated for your loss. When you purchase a car, you have the right to expect that manufacturers had your safety and comfort as their No. 1 goal. A car is a 1.5-ton machine and every piece must be carefully built. That is the public covenant car manufacturers must make. Nothing makes us madder than when a billion-dollar company deceives and harms or even kills an innocent person.

If you or a loved one has been harmed, we can decide to join a class action suit or file a personal injury claim against Takata and the car manufacturer. If a loved one has been killed from injuries caused by a defective Takata airbag, we can file a wrongful death case to compensate the appropriate family.

How can John Foy & Associates assist me with my case?

John Foy & Associates is one of Atlanta’s most-established personal injury law firms. With around 30 attorneys and 100 employees, we can afford to go up against a billion-dollar multinational company. Our outrage at what has happened to you fuels our already strong commitment to protect those who have been harmed by someone else’s negligence. Whether we decide to file a personal injury claim or join a class action lawsuit, we guarantee personal attention to your case.

Call a Takata Airbag Recall Lawsuit Attorney at 404-400-4000 and let’s get to work.