U.S. regulators have confirmed another fatality linked to dangerous Takata air bag inflators, marking the 28th death in the United States. The incident occurred in 2018 in Alabama, involving a driver in a Honda vehicle, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The tragic event underscores the critical importance of replacing recalled air bag inflators to prevent further casualties. Takata, the manufacturer, utilized ammonium nitrate to trigger a small explosion for inflating air bags during crashes. However, over time, the chemical can degrade due to high heat and humidity, leading to excessive force upon deployment. This can result in the rupture of the metal canister, projecting shrapnel into the passenger compartment, causing severe injuries. To date, more than 400 individuals in the U.S. have been harmed by these defective inflators.
Internationally, at least 36 fatalities have been attributed to Takata inflators, with incidents reported in Malaysia, Australia, and the U.S.
Honda, a prominent automaker that extensively used Takata air bags in its vehicles, acknowledged the Alabama fatality involving a 2004 Honda Civic in Etowah County. The circumstances of a high-speed crash complicated the definitive determination of the cause of death.
In response, Honda has taken proactive measures, having replaced or addressed 95% of the recalled inflators in its vehicles. The company urges owners of Honda and Acura vehicles affected by the Takata air bag inflator recalls to promptly visit authorized dealerships for necessary repairs.
Owners can easily check for recalls on their Honda and Acura vehicles by visiting www.recalls.honda.com and www.recalls.acura.com. Alternatively, they can access the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website at nhtsa.com/recalls and input their vehicle identification or license plate numbers for verification.
The potential for a hazardous malfunction prompted the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, encompassing at least 67 million Takata inflators. Despite the extensive recall efforts, a significant number of inflators remain unrepaired, posing ongoing risks to vehicle occupants. Globally, approximately 100 million inflators have been recalled, with the catastrophic consequences of exploding air bags ultimately leading Takata into bankruptcy.
