Japanese automotive airbag manufacturer Takata is once again in the news for mistakes in its manufacturing processes.
In 1995 it was discovered that safety belts they manufactured did not close properly, leading to over eight million vehicles being recalled in the U.S.
More errors surfaced in April 2000 when it was discovered that the device which is supposed to inflate their airbag was too powerful and not only inflated the bag, but also fired pieces of metal at break neck speed towards the passenger.
Since then Takata has had a series of problems with U.S. law enforcement due to corruption amongst some of its executives resulting in fines and jail sentences. The corruption involved price fixing of safety belts sold in the United States.
And now, having thought they had fixed the problem with the airbags, it appears not to be the case that Takata airbags are still responsible for throwing “shrapnel” upon deployment, leading to yet another major vehicle recall. Major auto manufacturers, such as Toyota and Honda, are involved in the recall. Honda has announced that it has reports of injuries, and even deaths, which have resulted from the defect.
Recall
If you, or someone you know, have an injured in a serious accident involving a defective vehicle or part, call the Law Offices of Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP – 89 Oak Street Hartford, CT 06106-1515 – (888) 244-5480.
