The U.S. Transportation Secretary issued a second recall of an estimated 2.12 million Acura, Dodge, Jeep, Honda, Pontiac, and Toyota vehicles. This is in regards to a defect which may cause the airbags to accidentally deploy. The recall has been established after the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration found the defective airbags had not been properly repaired.
The recalled vehicle models include the following vehicles manufactured between 2002 and 2004:
- Acura MDS
- Dodge Viper
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Jeep Liberty
- Honda Odyssey
- Pontiac Vibe
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Matrix
- Toyota Avalon
Original Fix Has Not Stopped Accidental Airbag Deployments
These vehicles have been the subject of subsequent recalls because of faulty airbag issues. The manufacturers have tried to correct the problems of the airbags deploying when no crash had occurred. The original assessment was believed to have been caused by a faulty electronic control unit, which has been replaced with a part made by TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. However, this has not been successful in preventing the accidental deployment in 39 different vehicles which has had the original control unit replaced.
An added twist is the fact that an estimated one million Toyota and Honda vehicles are also being recalled because of a defect in the airbags themselves which were manufactured by the Takata Corporation. The vehicles are subjected to the Takata airbag recall because some of the plastic or metal parts may break loose in the event the airbags are deployed, which may result in the driver being hit with shrapnel that can cause further injury or death. Some of the vehicles have had inadvertent deployment of the airbags or had the airbags rupture, which may cause eye injuries, scratches and burns.
Help For Those Who Have Been Hurt Because Of Deployment
The NHTSA has urged owners who are subject to the original recall to take their vehicles into their local dealer and have the temporary fix implemented on their vehicles. While the NHTSA appreciates the inconvenience to the vehicle owners, the temporary fix will reduce the chance of an accidental deployment, at least until the new part is available. Consumers will receive notification when the part is available.
If you or someone you love has been injured by the accidental deployment of an airbag in the absence of a crash, Zimmerman & Frachtman encourage you to seek medical attention and then consider seeking the advice of an experience product liability attorney.