Airbag Recalls Worsened By Florida Humidity

Airbag Recalls Worsened By Florida Humidity

What would you do if you were driving around with defective airbags? Well, there’s a good chance you may be. While a recall was initiated for the Takata airbags from 2008 to 2011, 30% of the affected vehicles remain on the road. And Floridians may be at a higher risk.

Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reiterated their call to action to get car owners who have yet to have their airbags replaced to do so immediately. They also mentioned that drivers in humid states such as Florida and Texas especially needed to heed the call because of the adverse effect of heat and humidity on the airbags.

Why Are The Airbags Bad?

What To Do If Your Vehicle Is Affected

Injured by a Defective Airbag? Consult a Tampa Product Defect Lawyer

If you have an affected vehicle, it is important to call up your nearest dealer to schedule an appointment to have the airbags fixed. Replacement parts for the Honda and Acura vehicles are immediately available for those vehicles deemed most at risk.

Affected Honda and Acura vehicles (with Takata airbags) include:

  • 2001-2002 Honda Civics
  • 2001-2002 Honda Accords
  • 2002-2003 Acura TLs
  • 2002 Honda CR-Vs
  • 2002 Honda Odysseys
  • 2003 Acura CLs
  • 2003 Honda Pilots

Affected Toyota vehicles include two hybrids. Both the Prius and the Lexus CT200h models from 2010 to 2012 have been recalled. Contact your local dealer for more information.

If you’re unsure as to whether your vehicle qualifies, you can check www.safercar.gov. This government website not only supplies information and statistics about car safety, it also allows you to enter your VIN to see whether or not your vehicle has received necessary repairs as part of a recall in the past fifteen years. This is especially useful for owners of affected cars who purchased their vehicles second hand.

The defective Takata airbags can be found in numerous Honda and Accord models. A compound that is used in the airbags is known to degrade over time. This degradation can then cause the airbags to explode when initiated during an accident. Tests have shown that heat and humidity—two Florida staples—are known to make the problem worse and heighten the probability of airbag explosion.

Fourteen fatalities and over 100 injuries have been associated with these defective Takata airbags. This has led to a recall of over 60 million vehicles in the United States alone.

In addition, a second recall for defective airbags (this time manufactured by Autoliv) was recently issued in the last week of July. This particular defect is exacerbated by heat and affects Toyota vehicles.
If you or a loved one have been injured because of an exploding airbag or other vehicle malfunction, it’s important to speak with a Tampa product defect lawyer to learn more about your legal options. An airbag is supposed to help save your life in case of an accident, however, because of faulty manufacturing, some are known to pose a danger to motorists.

When a product you’ve purchased, whether it’s a car, hoverboard, or washing machine, causes you or your property harm while it’s being used for its designed purpose, you have legal recourse. Product liability law covers defects that arise from faulty manufacturing, poor design, and poorly-written marketing and warnings. Speaking with a Tampa product defect lawyer can help you better understand your options and move forward with a claim to cover the costs of damage as well as pain and suffering.

If you’ve been harmed because of a company’s lack of due diligence when designing, manufacturing, or marketing a product, you have the right to compensation. Consult with a Tampa product defect lawyer as soon as possible to ensure an expedient claim.