The name ‘Takata’ would ring a bell which you probably feel that you would have seen it somewhere. If you cannot recall, it is the name of many airbags that are fitted in vehicles across the world.
Extremely hazardous piece of safety equipment
The irony is that the airbag is perhaps the most trusted safety equipment in the modern vehicle. But when it was reported that this part has become hazardous which could potentially cause death, it changes the consumer’s perception of safety equipment in the car altogether.
What actually happened?
It was reported that vehicles produced by 19 automakers have to be recalled. This would become the ‘largest and most complex safety recall’ involving Takata-made airbags.
What makes this more staggering is that Takata installed its airbags in millions of cars between 2002 and 2015. According to reports, it could potentially deploy explosively. This could injure or even kill the person.
The problem lies with the inflator of the airbag which is a propellant wafers-loaded metal cartridge. With explosive force, some even ignited. During a crash, the inflator’s housing could explode and if this happens, metal shards will be thrown out into the cabin. This is like a hand grenade going off.
The root cause here is actually with airbags that did not use a chemical drying agent when making the ammonium nitrate-based propellant. This problem was only discovered later because many factors contribute to the risk.
Among them, age of the airbag, high temperature and moisture in the environment. All these factors would cause the airbag to inflate wrongly and the shrapnel could then be flown straight to the person in the car.
Across the world, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has reported that this problem has caused more than 300 injuries with more than 20 deaths reported. In the USA alone, the recall involved more than 40 million vehicles.
The problem is that because some vehicles date back to 2002 which means that it would be difficult to get the parts immediately. While Takata scrambles to sort this problem out, those who are still driving around need to be cautious.
Is your car involved?
The main problem is that it covers a lot of models over the past 20 years or so. Your car could be involved. Here is the list.
Acura
- 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
- 2010-2013 Acura ZDX
Audi
- 2006-2013 Audi A3
- 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant
- 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet
- 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan
- 2010-2011 Audi A5 Cabriolet
- 2003-2011 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
- 2016-2017 Audi TT
BMW
- 2008-2013 BMW 1 Series
- 2000-2013 BMW 3 Series
- 2002-2003 BMW 5 Series
- 2011-2015 BMW X1
- 2007-2010 BMW X3
- 2003-2013 BMW X5
- 2008-2014 BMW X6
- 2010-2011 BMW X6 Hybrid
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
Infiniti
- 2003-2008 Infiniti FX
- 2001 Infiniti I30
- 2002-2004 Infiniti I35
- 2006-2010 Infiniti M
- 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
Jaguar, Jeep and Land Rover
- 2009-2015 Jaguar XF
- 2007-2016 Jeep Wrangler
- 2007-2012 Land Rover Range Rover
Lexus
- 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
- 2002-2010 Lexus SC430
Mazda
- 2004-2009 Mazda B-Series
- 2007-2012 Mazda CX-7
- 2007-2015 Mazda CX-9
- 2003-2011 Mazda6
- 2006-2007 Mazda Mazdaspeed6
- 2004-2006 Mazda MPV
- 2004-2011 Mazda RX-8
Mercedes-Benz
- 2005-2014 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
- 2009-2010 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
- 2009-2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
- 2007-2008 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class
- 2011-2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class
Mitsubishi
- 2012-2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
- 2004-2007 Mitsubishi Lancer
- 2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
- 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback
- 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider
Nissan
- 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
- 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
- 2007-2012 Nissan Versa
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
- 2012-2014 Subaru WRX/STI
Toyota
- 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner
- 2003-2013 Toyota Corolla
- 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix
- 2009-2013 Toyota Matrix
- 2004-2005 Toyota Rav4
- 2002-2006 Toyota Sequoia
- 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna
- 2003-2006 Toyota Tundra
- 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris (Hatch Back)
- 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
