DETROIT — Another death has been linked to dangerous Takata air bag inflators by U.S. regulators, the 28th in the United States.
The driver was killed in 2018 in Alabama in a Honda vehicle, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said, but gave no further details. It says the death underscores the need for people to replace recalled air bag inflators.
Takata used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate over time due to high heat and humidity and explode with too much force. That can blow apart a metal canister and send shrapnel into the passenger compartment. More than 400 people in the U.S. have been hurt.
Worldwide at least 36 people have been killed by Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia and the U.S.
Honda said in a statement that the Alabama death occurred in Etowah County and involved a 2004 Honda Civic. It involved a high speed crash which complicated efforts to definitively determine the cause of death.
Honda, the company that used more Takata air bags in its cars than any other automaker, said it has replaced or accounted for 95% of the recalled inflators in its vehicles.
“Honda continues to urge owners of Honda and Acura vehicles affected by the Takata air bag inflator recalls to get their vehicles repaired at an authorized dealership as soon as possible,” the company statement said.
Honda and Acura owners can check their for recalls at www.recalls.honda.com and www.recalls.acura.com. Owners also can go to nhtsa.com/recalls and key in their vehicle identification or license plate numbers.
Potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata into bankruptcy.
The ongoing saga of Takata airbag inflators has taken a tragic turn with the recent news of the 28th death in the United States linked to the faulty devices. The latest victim, a 58-year-old man from Arizona, was driving a 2002 Honda Civic when the airbag inflator ruptured, sending shrapnel flying into the vehicle.
Takata airbag inflators have been at the center of one of the largest automotive recalls in history, affecting millions of vehicles worldwide. The issue stems from a defect in the inflator that can cause it to rupture upon deployment, sending metal fragments flying into the cabin of the vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been investigating the issue for years and has urged owners of affected vehicles to have their airbags replaced as soon as possible. The agency has also issued a series of recalls for vehicles equipped with Takata airbags, but many owners have yet to have their airbags replaced.
The latest death serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by these defective airbags. In a statement, NHTSA Acting Administrator James Owens said, “This is a critical reminder of the serious nature of this recall and why we must all take action to ensure that all recalled airbags are fixed.”
Honda, which has been one of the most affected automakers by the Takata airbag issue, has also issued a statement urging owners to check if their vehicle is included in the recall and to have their airbags replaced immediately. The company has set up a website where owners can enter their vehicle identification number (VIN) to see if their vehicle is affected.
In the wake of this latest tragedy, it is more important than ever for owners of affected vehicles to take action and have their airbags replaced. The NHTSA has warned that the risk of injury or death from these defective airbags is very real, and it is crucial for owners to heed this warning and take steps to protect themselves and their passengers.
As investigations into the Takata airbag issue continue, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers on the road. Automakers, regulators, and consumers must work together to address this issue and prevent further tragedies from occurring. In the meantime, owners of affected vehicles should not delay in having their airbags replaced to avoid any potential risks.
