Butler Wooten & Peak LLP Has Successfully Handled Airbag Defects Similar To Current Takata Recall

Posted in Firm News on April 15, 2013

(Atlanta, Georgia) Takata (‘TK Holdings’) recently announced a massive recall of defective airbags on almost five million additional vehicles in use in the United States, bringing the total number of affected vehicles to nearly 14 million. The potentially dangerous airbags were installed as original parts in the following:

Toyota (778,177 potentially affected vehicles)

• 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Sequoia
• 2003-2004 Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Pontiac Vibe

Honda (2,803,214 potentially affected vehicles)

• 2001-1007 Accord (4 cyl)
• 2001-2002 Accord (6 cyl)
• 2001-2005 Civic
• 2002-2006 CR-V
• 2002-2011 Element
• 2002-2004 Odyssey
• 2003-2007 Pilot
• 2006 Ridgeline
• 2003-2006 Acura MDX
• 2002-2003 Acura TL/CL

Nissan (437,712 potentially affected vehicles)

• 2001-2003 Maxima, Pathfinder, Infiniti I30/I35
• 2002-2003 Sentra, Infiniti QX4
• 2003 Infiniti FX

Mazda (18,050 potentially affected vehicles)

• 2003-2004 Mazda 6
• 2004 Mazda RX-8

BMW (573,935 potentially affected vehicles)

• 2000-2005 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Sport Wagon
• 2000-2006 3 Series Coupe, 3 Series Convertible
• 2001-2006 M3 Coupe M3 Coupe, M3 Convertible

Previously, three million vehicles were recalled for the same dangerous airbag issue:

• Toyota: 2001-2003 Corolla, Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia and Lexus SC 430
• Mazda: 2003-2004 Mazda 6 and 2004 RX-8
• Nissan: 2001-2003 Maxima, Infiniti FX, Infiniti QX4, Pathfinder and Sentra
• Honda: 2002-2003 CR-V, 2001-2003 Civic and the 2002 Odyssey
• General Motors: 2003 Pontiac Vibe

All vehicles involved require inspection to confirm that a defective airbag was installed and, if so, replacement of the defective airbag system.

According to a Defect Information Report filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the inflating system in the defective airbags can burst or explode when the airbag inflates. The metal canister may be broken into metal shrapnel by the force of inflation; those metal shards may then pierce the fabric of the airbag and cause serious injuries to anyone within the cabin of the car.

The attorneys of  Butler Wooten & Peak LLP have seen the devastating consequences of a poorly manufactured airbag that, instead of serving as protection for drivers and their passengers, serves to threaten their safety.

In 2010, Kristy Williams was stopped at a red light in Georgia when the airbags in her 2001 Honda Civic spontaneously deployed. The airbag in Ms. Williams’ Civic had a similar defect to the current problem announced by Takata. She was hit by metal shards from the canister that housed the airbag’s inflation propellant; the shards were sharp enough to penetrate the fabric of the airbag as well as seriously puncture her neck and carotid artery.

Ms. Williams required several surgeries to correct the injury caused by the defective airbag. She suffered seizures and experienced several strokes related to the injuries caused by the defective airbag.

The defective driver’s-side airbag in Ms. Williams’ Civic was also manufactured by Takata. Within nine months, her attorney from Butler Wooten & Peak had negotiated a settlement with both Honda and Takata to compensate Ms. Williams for the injuries caused by the defective product.

Despite Takata’s assertions that the recent airbag recall has resulted in no serious injuries, it is certainly possible that a defective airbag that sprays metal pieces during the inflation process can cause permanent physical damage, as it did in Ms. Williams’ case.

If you have experienced issues with a defective airbag, the attorneys of Butler Wooten & Peak LLP can help you assert your rights against the airbag and vehicle manufacturer that caused your injuries. Contact the Atlanta or Columbus, Georgia office online or at (800) 242-2962 for a free consultation.

Butler Wooten & Peak LLP represents those who have been injured in Georgia as well as across the United States when defective auto parts have resulted in serious or fatal personal injuries. The firm has established a reputation for achieving substantial verdicts and settlements on behalf of injury victims and their families throughout the country.