Original projections had estimated about 34 million airbags, with faulty inflators that could send shrapnel flying into the passenger cabin upon impact. The revised total estimates the number to be 23.4 million, with roughly 4 million of the airbags having already been replaced. The agency also estimates that 4 million of the affected vehicles have at least two of the recalled airbags, bringing the actual number of vehicles affected by the recall in the U.S. to around 19 million.
On Tuesday, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a revised count of airbags recalled by embattled industry leader, Japan-based Takata. Original projections had estimated about 34 million airbags, with faulty inflators that could send shrapnel flying into the passenger cabin upon impact. The revised total estimates the number to be 23.4 million, with roughly 4 million of the airbags having already been replaced. The agency also estimates that 4 million of the affected vehicles have at least two of the recalled airbags, bringing the actual number of vehicles affected by the recall in the U.S. to around 19 million. The rapidly-deploying airbags have caused at least seven deaths worldwide, six of them in the U.S, along with over 100 injuries. Although the cause of the defect is still being investigated, there is substantial evidence that the airbag’s inflators wear down in regions with excessive heat and humidity.
Despite the lowered projections, the NHTSA is responding to a complaint of a similar Takata side-airbag defect found in a 2015 Volkwagen Tiguan crossover vehicle in June. The agency said that Volkswagen has responded to several questions it posed to Volkswagen. The German automaker has not been one of the 11 vehicle manufacturers to be involved in the massive recall until now. The NHTSA is also looking into a May recall of 334 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles that were destined for Singapore, South Korea, and the Middle East due to side-airbag defects. Takata also reported a side-airbag failure during a test that it conducted in March. While the side-airbag probe widens the scope of the Takata airbag recall, its defect is less likely to send shrapnel directly into the vehicle’s passengers due to its location compared to the front airbags. Still, the side-airbag recalls are the first among those listed by the NHTSA to be installed in new-model vehicles.
The NHTSA also announced on Tuesday that it is considering establishing a Coordinated Remedy Program to streamline the recall and repair process. The agency has already met with the 11 automakers to compare research, including risk factors, supplies, and repair efficiency of the recall. The NHTSA is also in the process of coordinating a public forum in the fall to discuss the many obstacles involving what is still the largest recall in auto history. The agency also announced that it has completed its own tests of Takata airbags, concluding that “Preliminary results are broadly consistent with data from Takata, including Takata’s findings on the risk associated with vehicles from high-humidity geographic areas.” Drivers who want to find out if their vehicle is affected by the Takata recall can look up their vehicle’s identification number at vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/.
Sources:
Consumerist – Ahlee Kieler
Mlive.com – David Muller
USA Today– Chris Woodyard
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