Takata Airbag Attorney
Takata Corporation is a Japanese automotive parts company that began by making lifelines for parachutes before selling seat-belts. In 1988, Takata started to make airbags and at one time controlled as much as 20 percent of the market.
In 2013, Takata began what would ultimately become the largest auto recall in history. CNN reported in 2015 that Takata had recalled 40 million vehicles across 12 vehicle brands for “airbags that could explode and potentially send shrapnel into the face and body of both the driver and front seat passenger.”
According to Consumer Reports, the root of the problem with Takata’s airbags were the inflators, which are metal cartridges loaded with propellant wafers. Inflators could be ignited with explosive force or metal shards from the airbag could be sprayed throughout the passenger cabin when the inflator housing ruptures.
Consumer Reports noted that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that Takata airbags used ammonium nitrate-based propellent without a chemical drying agent, and age, high temperatures, or environmental moisture could improperly inflate the airbags possibly sending shrapnel into a person. According to NHTSA, Takata airbags were responsible for at least 23 deaths and 300 injuries.
Did you suffer serious injuries or did a defective Takata airbag kill your loved one in Nashville? You will want to seek qualified legal representation to get the compensation and justice that you deserve.
The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton has been included on the Top 100 lists of the National Trial Lawyers and America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators. Call (615) 244-4511 or complete an online contact form to have our attorneys provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case during a free consultation.
Vehicles Affected by Takata Airbag Recall
The 40 million vehicles recalled across a dozen different vehicle brands included a sizable number of different automobiles. According to NHTSA, vehicles with Takata airbags that were subject to recalls included:
- Acura (Honda) — 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2007-2016 Acura RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, 2009-2014 Acura TSX, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX
- Audi (VW) — 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, 2007-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet, 2006-2011 Audi A6 Avant, 2005-2011 Audi A6 Sedan, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2017 Audi R8, 2008 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet, 2007-2008 Audi RS 4 Sedan, 2005-2008 Audi S4 Avant, 2007-2009 Audi S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2008 Audi S4 Sedan, 2010-2012 Audi S5 Cabriolet, 2007-2011 Audi S6 Sedan, and 2016-2017 Audi TT
- BMW — 2008-2013 BMW 1 Series, 2000-2013 BMW 3 Series, 2001-2003 BMW 5 Series, 2013-2015 BMW X1, 2007-2010 BMW X3, 2001-2003 BMW X5, 2007-2013 BMW X5, 2008-2014 BMW X6, and 2010-2011 BMW X6 Hybrid
- Cadillac (GM) — 2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV, and 2007-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT
- Chevrolet (GM) — 2007-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, 2007-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD, 2007-2013 Chevrolet Silverado LD, 2007-2014 Chevrolet Suburban, ad 2007-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
- Chrysler — 2005-2015 Chrysler 300, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire
- Daimler Trucks North America (Sterling Bullet) — 2008-2009 Sterling Bullet
- Daimler Vans USA LLC (Sprinter) — 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter, 2007-2017 Freightliner Sprinter, and 2010-2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Dodge/Ram (Chrysler) — 2008-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2006-2015 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2003-2008 Dodge Ram 1500/2500/3500 Pickup, 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup, 2007-2010 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup, and 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis
- Ferrari — 2010-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A, 2012-2015 Ferrari 458 Spider, 2016-2017 Ferrari 488 GTB, 2016-2017 Ferrari 488 Spider, 2009-2014 Ferrari California, 2015-2017 Ferrari California T, 2013-2017 Ferrari F12, 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf, 2016 Ferrari F60, 2012-2016 Ferrari FF, and 2017 Ferrari GTC4Lusso
- Fisker (Karma) — 2012 Fisker Karma
- Ford — 2007-2010 Ford Edge, 2006-2012 Ford Fusion, 2005-2006 Ford GT, 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, and 2004-2011 Ford Ranger
- GMC (GM) — 2007-2014 GMC Sierra HD, 2007-2013 GMC Sierra LD, 2007-2014 GMC Yukon, and 2007-2014 GMC Yukon XL
- Honda — 2001-2012 Honda Accord, 2001-2011 Honda Civic, 2003-2011 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2001-2011 Honda Civic NGV, 2010-2015 Honda Crosstour, 2002-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 Honda CR-Z, 2003-2011 Honda Element, 2010-2014 Honda FCX Clarity, 2007-2013 Honda Fit, 2013-2014 Honda Fit EV, 2010-2014 Honda Insight, 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey, 2003-2015 Honda Pilot, and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline
- Infiniti (Nissan) — 2003-2008 Infiniti FX, 2001 Infiniti I30, 2002-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M, and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
- Jaguar — 2009-2015 Jaguar XF
- Jeep (Chrysler) — 2007-2016 Jeep Wrangler
- Land Rover (Jaguar Land Rover) — 2007-2012 Land Rover Range Rover
- Lexus (Toyota) — 2007-2012 Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2006-2013 Lexus IS250/350, 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C/350C, 2008-2014 Lexus IS F, 2012 Lexus LFA, and 2002-2010 Lexus SC430
- Lincoln (Ford) — 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX and 2006-2012 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ
- Mazda — 2004-2009 Mazda B-Series, 2007-2012 Mazda CX-7, 2007-2015 Mazda CX-9, 2003-2015 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed6, 2004-2006 Mazda MPV, and 2004-2011 Mazda RX-8
- McLaren — 2016-2017 McLaren 570, 2015-2016 McLaren 650S, 2016 McLaren 675LT, 2012-2014 McLaren MP4-12C, 2011 McLaren P1TM, and 2013-2015 McLaren P1TM
- Mercedes-Benz — 2005-2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, 2010-2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, 2011-2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio, 2010-2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe, 2009-2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, 2010-2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, 2009-2011 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class, 2009-2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class, 2007-2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, and 2011-2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class
- Mercury (Ford) — 2006-2011 Mercury Milan
- Mitsubishi — 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2016-2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2004-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer, 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider
- Nissan — 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra, and 2007-2012 Nissan Versa
- Pontiac (GM) — 2003-2010 Pontiac Vibe
- Saab (GM) — 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x, 2006-2011 Saab 9-3, and 2006-2009 Saab 9-5
- Saturn (GM) — 2008-2009 Saturn Astra
- Scion (Toyota) — 2008-2015 Scion XB
- Subaru — 2003-2006 Subaru Baja, 2009-2013 Subaru Forester, 2004-2011 Subaru Impreza (Including WRX/STI), 2003-2014 Subaru Legacy, 2003-2014 Subaru Outback, 2006-2014 Subaru Tribeca, and 2012-2014 Subaru WRX/STI
- Tesla — 2012-2016 Tesla Model S
- Toyota — 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2003-2013 Toyota Corolla, 2003-2013 Toyota Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 Toyota Rav4, 2002-2007 Toyota Sequoia, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, 2003-2006 Toyota Tundra, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris (Hatch Back), and 2007-2012 Toyota Yaris (Sedan)
- Volkswagen — 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Volkswagen Eos, 2010-2014 Volkswagen Golf, 2013 Volkswagen Golf R, 2009-2013 Volkswagen GTI, 2012-2014 Volkswagen Passat, 2006-2010 Volkswagen Passat Sedan, 2006-2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon, and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
While the recall was initially instituted several years ago, the number of vehicles being added has continually grown. You should use the NHTSA website safercar.gov to enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) to search for recalls.
Types of Takata Airbag Accidents
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) stated in a November 2017 report that there were approximately 46 million Takata airbag inflators under recall with scheduled expansion to roughly 65 million inflators by the end of 2018. According to the DOT, all 13 reported fatalities involved Takata airbag inflators exploding.
The DOT stated that the Takata airbag inflator in these fatality cases detonated in an explosion that tore apart its steel inflator housing and sprayed high velocity metal shards at the victim instead of properly inflating. The same types of explosions have also been responsible for scores of injuries.
According to the DOT, Tennessee had 894,180 affected inflators, with 542,768 unrepaired. An estimated 634,667 vehicles were affected in Tennessee, and 435,162 were unrepaired.
Types of Takata Airbag Injuries
A Takata airbag explosion has the potential to cause fatal or severe injuries. Some of the most common injuries victims can suffer include, but are not limited to:
- Blunt head trauma
- Lacerations
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Amputation
- Burn Injuries
- Disfigurement
- Neck Injuries
- Internal Organ Damage
- Contusions
- Internal organ injuries
- Herniated discs
Many of these types of injuries cause permanent damage to people. Some victims will deal with dramatic changes to their appearance, while other injuries can impact a person’s ability to work or even care for themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Takata Airbags
What should I do if my vehicle is on the recall list?
If you learn that a vehicle you own has been added to the list of recalled vehicles, you should contact your car dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment to bring your automobile in. You simply bring your vehicle to your dealer, and they should perform the necessary repairs at no cost to you. If the repairs take some time (replacement airbags are not always immediately available, especially since the recall began), the dealer will usually give you a loaner vehicle.
What is the difference between a rupture and aggressive deployment?
Evidence of an inflator rupture is generally clear, but people can still suffer airbag injuries even when an inflator is not ruptured. Such cases may involve what is referred to as aggressive deployment. Aggressive deployment typically involves delayed implementation of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) dual-stage inflator and over-pressurization of the inflator. Not all Takata airbags have dual-stage inflators.
How does Takata’s bankruptcy affect compensation for victims?
Takata filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2017, but Reuters reported in January 2018 that the company’s American unit reached a settlement that would establish a trust to pay compensation for people injured or killed by Takata airbags. According to Reuters, the trust would pay compensation based on the person’s injury, ranging from $10,000 for bruising up to $5 million for death. 13 automakers joined the agreement. It is important to remember that Takata is not the only company that could be liable in these cases, and Fortune reported in July 2018 that Ford Motor Company had agreed to a $299.1 million settlement to resolve the economic loss claims of consumers.
Contact a Nashville Takata Airbag Lawyer Today
If you sustained severe injuries or a defective Takata airbag killed your loved one in Tennessee, you will want to retain legal counsel immediately. An experienced attorney will be able to help you recover all of the compensation you are entitled to.
Luvell L. Glanton has nearly three decades of legal experience, and the Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton represents clients throughout the greater Nashville area. You can have our lawyers review your case and discuss all of your legal options when you call (615) 244-4511 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.