More Takata Recalls Could be Beginning of End
» Posted January 24, 2020 • Resources | Share This Post
The Takata exploding airbag saga could be coming to a close, as the troubled safety device manufacturer recalled 10 million airbags that were at risk of exploding.
Takata announced in January that it is recalling 10 million airbags in vehicles from 14 different manufacturers. That’s part of a deal with regulators to replace some 70 million airbags across in cars across the United States.
Takata began recalling some 100 million airbags around the world following reports that the safety devices could explode, hurling shrapnel through the interior of vehicles, injuring occupants and causing crashes. At least 25 people have been killed as a result of the defect, according to USA Today.
A 55-year-old Arizona man died in 2019, for example, when the Takata airbag in his Honda Civic exploded during a crash. A year earlier, a Florida woman was killed in a T-bone accident in which she was struck by shrapnel exploding from the airbag in her Honda Accord.
The latest recall is the last one under a deal reached between Takata and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2015. It covers certain Honda, BMW, Audi, Daimler, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen and Ferrari.
Legal Rights for California Car Owners
The ongoing Takata airbag problems highlight the varied kinds of latent defects that can pose serious safety risks to people behind the wheel, in passenger seats and on the road. Whether it is an exploding airbag, engine issues that could cause car fires or transmission snafus that could lead to unexpected stalling, these defects often don’t rear their heads until long after cars leave the factory floor.
For California car owners, that is where the state’s lemon law comes in. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires carmakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also obligates manufacturers to buy back vehicles that it is unwilling or unable to repair. That includes picking up the tab for the purchase price, financing fees and other related costs.
Although the carmaker can instead offer to replace the vehicle, it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept that option. A seasoned California lemon law attorney can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.
Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a car owner or lessor who is haggling with your car’s manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help.
At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.
