11th Death May be Linked to Faulty Airbags, Takata Corp. to Recall 5.1 million Vehicles

An 11th death may be linked to faulty airbags manufactured by Takata Corp.

Just days after reports of a 10th death attributed to Takata airbags was determined, the troubled Japanese airbag company has now identified a death in India in April 2015 that may have resulted from a ruptured airbag in a 2007 Honda Civic. The driver had been speeding, the car overturned and crashed, but the airbag may have attributed to the person’s death. It’s the second death linked to defective airbags reported outside of the United States, nine others took place on American soil.

Takata Corp. announced today an additional 5.1 million recall of defective US vehicles, but this time the recalls include some newer 2014 models. So far Honda has recalled 6.28 million vehicles for defective airbag inflators that are prone to rupturing after a propellant used to inflate them degrades over time.

Previous recalls were for older model vehicles and mostly Hondas, but other manufacturers including BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Volkswagen, Audi, Daimler trucks, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Saab AB have also had vehicles recalled. None of these other automakers have had vehicles linked to fatalities.

Last week, however, the first fatal case involving a Ford vehicle made headlines when a man in South Carolina died of injuries that were in part due to a defective Takata airbag. Ford Motor Co.

Ford issued its own recall on Tuesday of 391,394 vehicles, specifically the 2004 to 2006 Ford Rangers built here in North America. Ford dealers will replace the driver’s side airbag inflator at no cost to the consumer, Ford said.

Find out if your vehicle has been recalled due to Takata airbags.

Newport Beach-based Johnson Attorneys Group is available to help you with your claim if you have been hurt or have lost a loved one in a case you believe is the result of defective airbags.

You may call us for a free consultation at 800-235-6801.

James Johnson ESQ

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