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The Daily Insight

How dangerous are Takata airbags

Author

Dylan Hughes

Published Apr 02, 2026

Honda has now confirmed 15 deaths and more than 200 injuries in the U.S. related to Takata airbag driver’s front inflator ruptures in the field. The vehicle involved in this crash had been under recall since December 2011 for replacement of the original Takata driver’s frontal airbag inflator.

How serious is the Takata airbag recall?

The Takata Airbag Safety Recall is the largest recall in automotive history, involving 19 automakers and tens of millions of airbags. Defective airbags can cause serious injury or even death if not repaired immediately. The repair process is completely FREE.

Why are Takata airbags so bad?

The inflators used by Takata are known to use explosive ammonium nitrate to fill the bags in the event of a crash. The problem with ammonium nitrate is that it can break-down over time, which can lead to it burning too fast and blowing apart its metal canister.

Are Takata replacement airbags safe?

The replacement airbags were also made by Takata, although with a different kind of propellant, but the automaker has determined there is still risk that they could rupture unexpectedly.

Is it safe to drive car with airbag recall?

Do Not Drive a Vehicle on the Recall List. … No one likes scare tactics, but the truth of the matter is that your car is not safe to drive with a recalled Takata airbag. One of these defective airbags could explode, sending shrapnel into the cabin of your vehicle and injure or kill you or a passenger.

Can Airbags explode?

Long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause these air bags to explode when deployed. Such explosions have caused injuries and deaths. NHTSA urges vehicle owners to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and others from this very serious threat to safety.

Is Takata airbag company still in business?

Native nameタカタ株式会社Founded1933 in Shiga Prefecture, JapanFounderTakezo TakadaDefunct11 April 2018FateAcquired by Key Safety Systems

How do I know if my Takata airbag is recalled?

Visit to find out if your car or truck is under recall. Search using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your search result will tell you if your car or truck is included in this recall or any other safety recall. Call your local dealer to schedule the FREE repair.

How much will I get from the Takata airbag settlement?

Toyota, BMW, Subaru and Mazda will pay more than $553 Million to settle a class-action lawsuit for economic damages related to the recall, the largest in U. S. automotive history. Over 100 million airbags are involved in the Takata recall.

How many cars are affected by the Takata airbag recall?

The Takata airbag recall is the world’s largest automotive recall, affecting an estimated 100 million vehicles globally.

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Does BMW use Takata airbags?

All affected BMW cars with Takata airbags will have to a BMW dealership for thorough inspections by a technician. If they are faulty, you will get new ones free of charge. BMW issued recall notification letters to car owners to take their vehicles for inspections and replacement on July 19, 2021.

Does Volvo use Takata airbags?

The Volvo company airbags do not use ammonium nitrate and are made by producer ZF/TRW, who has been producing Volvo airbags throughout all of the recalls of the 768,000 vehicles, and could still cause dangers such as the Takata airbags experienced.

How many lives have airbags saved?

NHTSA estimates that as of 2017, 50,457 lives have been saved by frontal airbags (National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2020). In frontal crashes, front airbags reduce driver fatalities by 29 percent and fatalities of front-seat passengers age 13 and older by 32 percent (Kahane, 2015).

How long does it take to replace airbags?

How long will the service take? Some vehicles only require a driver’s side replacement. In that case, the service will take roughly an hour and a half. Some vehicles will require both a driver and passenger airbag inflator replacement, which will take about 3 hours.

Are old airbags safe?

Older vehicles used different materials in the airbag igniter, which may wear faster over time than the material used in modern cars. … If your car is manufactured in the mid- to late-1990s or later, we suspect your airbags will continue to keep you safe and last longer than most other components of your vehicle.

Do Hyundai use Takata airbags?

Is my Hyundai vehicle affected by the Takata airbag recall? Hyundai Australia vehicles are not affected by the Takata Airbag recall.

What is Takata worth?

The estimated Net Worth of Akira Takata is at least $8.32 Million dollars as of 26 November 2021.

What happens when an airbag hits you?

Common types of injuries caused by airbags are: Abrasions to the upper portion of the body, including arms, chest and face. Contusions to arms, knees, chest, face and internal organs. … Concussions, brain swelling, brain bruising and loss of consciousness.

Do airbags catch on fire?

The company says the inflators contain improperly made propellant, which can cause them not to work right. In fact, experts say the airbags may even catch fire during a crash.

Is airbag dust toxic?

Sodium azide is an extremely toxic poison, capable of destroying entire ecosystems. An undeployed airbag contains between 50 grams for the driver side and 200 grams for the passenger side. After the airbag reacts, all of the sodium azide should be converted to harmless nitrogen gas.

How much are the Toyota settlement checks?

Eligible Class Members’ payments may range from $37 to $125, depending on the state in which the Class Member resides, the number of claims submitted, and other adjustments and deductions.

Is auto airbag settlement check legitimate?

It’s not a scam. You got this notice because you may be able to claim money as part of a recent class action settlement. You’re not alone. Thousands are starting to receive these notices – including a couple of us here at ClassAction.org.

How much is the Toyota settlement?

Toyota Motor Company to Pay $180 Million in Settlement for Decade-Long Noncompliance with Clean Air Act Reporting Requirements.

How long does it take to replace Takata airbags?

The time to replace the front-passenger airbag inflator is approximately two hours. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle for an extended period of time on the day of your appointment to allow your retailer flexibility in scheduling.

Is my airbag safe SA?

You can check if your vehicle is affected immediately via the website or text the word ‘Takata’ to 0487 AIRBAG (0487 247 224).

What does Takata mean in Japanese?

Japanese: ‘high rice paddy’; also pronounced Takada. The most ancient family to bear the name originated in the Kyoto region and is listed in the Shinsen shojiroku. Other families have taken the name from various places so named.

How much money did Takata lose?

Takata has lost almost all of its market value from its 2007 peak of 400 billion yen ($3.6 billion).

Why did Takata go out of business?

Japan’s Takata was brought down by the huge cost of its exploding airbag crisis. The company’s faulty airbag inflators, which can blast shrapnel into drivers and passengers, have resulted in the recall of tens of millions of vehicles and been linked to 11 deaths in the U.S. and several others elsewhere.

Are Volvo airbags safe?

The Volvo inflators do not use ammonium nitrate, but the propellant can still deteriorate when exposed to high heat and humidity, according to documents posted Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. … Earlier this month Volvo recalled nearly 260,000 older cars in the U.S. for the same problem.

What is airbag shrapnel?

Takata inflators use the volatile chemical ammonium nitrate as a propellant to inflate the airbag. The airbag can explode in a crash, firing metal shrapnel that cuts drivers and passengers. Moisture, humidity, and other factors can break down the ammonium nitrate, making it unstable.

Which Volvo cars are being recalled?

  • 2021 Volvo XC40 and XC40 Recharge.
  • 2021-2022 Volvo V60.
  • 2021 V60 CC.
  • 2021-2022 Volvo XC60.
  • 2021-2022 Volvo S60.
  • 2021 Volvo V90 and V90 CC.
  • 2021 Volvo XC90.