Takata II: Something New or (a Lot) More of the Same?

What does it mean that the number of vehicles recalled for potentially defective Takata airbags inflators "is now up to 33.8 million?"  

Please see the below information sent out by NADA yesterday regarding the most recent Takata developments.

On May 19, Takata entered into an agreement with NHTSA to work with 11 vehicle manufacturers to recall additional vehicles identified as having driver and/or passenger airbags containing their old phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate driver inflators.  The agreement roughly doubles the potential number of vehicles with passenger-side bags containing those inflators to 16 million and the number with driver-side bags to 17 million.  The defect involves airbag inflators that can degrade over time in part due to exposure to heat and humidity.  Many Takata airbags have deployed properly through the years, but a relatively few have ruptured during crashes causing injury and even death.  

Important: The exact models and VINs covered by the expanded recall are being determined by Takata in conjunction with the manufacturers who equipped vehicles with these inflators dating back to MY 2001.  Working with other airbag manufacturers, Takata is producing replacement airbags for use in recalled vehicles.  Replacements will be allocated over time based on risk factors.  Impacted manufacturers will communicate directly with their dealerships and with vehicle owners as soon as they know which vehicles are being recalled, when replacement parts will made be available, and the interim steps (if any) vehicle operators should take.  For now, dealerships may tell concerned customers that they will get a first class letter in the mail from their vehicle manufacturer if their car or light truck becomes subject to a federal safety recall.  For more information on the Takata recall, visit www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/index.html.
 
See Safety Recalls Q&A for Franchised Dealers for additional information on how to handle recalls impacting new and used inventory and service vehicles, and on NHTSA's VIN-searchable safety recall database at www.safercar.gov/vinlookup, an online tool to help identify cars and light trucks with uncompleted recalls prior to making purchases or taking in trades, for used vehicles in inventory, or to help consumers learn about the recall status of their vehicles.  See also, Dealer Tips for VIN Lookup and Vehicle Recalls, a NHTSA document prepared in conjunction with NADA.

If you have any questions contact Ellen Mastrangelo or Nick Hanna directly at 440-746-1500 or via email at ellen@gcada.org or nhanna@gcada.org with any questions. This memo and its contents should not be construed as legal advice.