The Takata Airbag Recall Process: Scope and Challenges

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Call Takata airbag lawyer Timothy L. Miles if you were injured by a defective Takata airbag

The Takata airbag recall stands as one of the largest and most complex automotive recalls in history. Understanding the scope of this recall and the challenges faced in its implementation is crucial to appreciating the magnitude of the Takata Airbag Settlement.

Numerous vehicle brands installed defective Takata airbags in their vehicle models during the late 90s and early 2000s, which have the potential to release lethal metal shrapnel upon inflation and have led to several Takata airbag deaths. NHTSA has confirmed that 28 people in the United States have been killed when their defective Takata airbag inflators exploded. Tens of millions of faulty Takata airbags are under recall. If the defective Takata airbags are subjected to long-term exposure to high heat and humidity areas, it can cause an airbag explosion.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective Takata airbag, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries and should call Timothy L. Miles today for a free case evaluation as you may be entitled to substantial compensation from airbag injury settlements. (855) 846-6529 or [email protected], 24/7 and no charge, of course.

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Unprecedented Scale

The sheer scale of the Takata airbag recall is staggering. As of 2021, the recall affected approximately 67 million airbags in the United States alone, with millions more affected globally. This number represents airbags installed in vehicles from 19 different automakers, spanning models from the early 2000s to as recent as 2018.
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The vast number of affected vehicles posed significant logistical challenges. Automakers and dealerships were tasked with notifying owners, scheduling repairs, and managing the influx of vehicles requiring airbag replacements. This process was further complicated by the need to prioritize high-risk vehicles and regions.

Phased Approach

Given the enormous scope of the recall, a phased approach was adopted. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) worked with Takata and automakers to prioritize recalls based on risk factors. These factors included:

1. Age of the airbag inflators
2. Exposure to heat and humidity
3. Location of the airbag within the vehicle (driver-side airbags were often prioritized)

This phased approach aimed to address the highest-risk vehicles first, but it also meant that some vehicle owners had to wait longer for replacements, leading to frustration and concern.

Geographic Prioritization

Research indicated that prolonged exposure to heat and humidity increased the risk of airbag malfunction. As a result, recalls were initially prioritized in regions with hot, humid climates. Areas such as Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico were among the first to see widespread recall efforts.
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This geographic prioritization, while based on safety considerations, led to some confusion and concern among vehicle owners in other regions who were also eager to have their potentially defective Takata airbags replaced.

Supply Chain Challenges

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One of the most significant hurdles in implementing the recall was the shortage of replacement parts. The unprecedented scale of the recall meant that Takata and other suppliers struggled to produce enough replacement airbags to meet demand.
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This shortage led to delays in repairs, with some vehicle owners waiting months or even years for their airbags to be replaced. In some cases, interim measures were implemented, such as disabling passenger-side airbags or providing loaner vehicles to owners of high-risk vehicles.

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Communication and Awareness

Effectively communicating the recall to affected vehicle owners proved challenging. Despite efforts by automakers and the NHTSA to notify owners through mail, email, and public awareness campaigns, many vehicle owners remained unaware of the recall or its urgency.

The challenge was compounded by factors such as:

• Changes in vehicle ownership
• Outdated contact information
• General public fatigue with recall notices

Improving awareness and encouraging owners to check their vehicles' recall status became an ongoing effort throughout the Takata airbag recall process.

Compliance and Completion Rates

Achieving high completion rates for the recall has been an ongoing challenge. Despite the potential danger posed by an exploding Takata airbag, many vehicle owners have been slow to respond to recall notices or have faced difficulties in scheduling repairs.
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As of 2021, completion rates varied significantly across different automakers and vehicle models. Some manufacturers reported completion rates over 90%, while others struggled to reach 50% completion.

Ongoing Nature of the Recall

The Takata airbag recall is notable not only for its scale but also for its duration. Years after the initial recalls, new vehicles were still being added to the recall list as more potentially defective airbags were identified.
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This ongoing nature of the recall has required sustained effort from automakers, regulators, and the public to ensure that all affected vehicles are eventually addressed.

Impact on the Automotive Industry

The recall has had far-reaching effects on the automotive industry:

1. Financial Impact: Automakers have incurred billions of dollars in costs related to the recall.
2. Reputation Damage: Both Takata and affected automakers have faced reputational challenges.
3. Industry Changes: The crisis has led to increased scrutiny of automotive supply chains and safety testing procedures.
4. Regulatory Changes: The recall has prompted discussions about potential changes to automotive safety regulations and recall procedures.

Lessons Learned

​The Takata airbag recall has provided valuable lessons for the automotive industry and regulators:

1. The importance of rigorous safety testing, especially for critical components like airbags.
2. The need for better traceability in automotive supply chains.
3. The challenges of managing large-scale recalls and the importance of effective communication strategies.
4. The potential long-term consequences of using new or untested technologies in safety-critical applications.

The recall process associated with the Takata airbag crisis has been a monumental undertaking, fraught with challenges and complexities. Understanding this process is crucial for appreciating the context of the Takata Airbag Settlement and the ongoing efforts to address this significant safety issue.

call a Takata airbag lawyer today about the Takata Airbag Settlement if you were injured by a defective Takata airbag

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If you or a loved one were injured by a defective Takata airbag, contact Takata airbag lawyer Timothy L. Miles today for a free case evaluation and see if you are eligible for compensation from the Takata Airbag Settlement.  Call a Timothy L. Miles today you could be entitled to substantial compensation. 
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Remember, the call is free and so is the fee unless we win or settle your case, so give Timothy L. Miles a call today. 855/846-6529 or [email protected].

The Law Offices of Timothy L. Miles
Tapestry at Brentwood Town Center
​300 Centerview Dr., #247
Brentwood, TN 37027
Phone: (855) 846–6529
​​Email: [email protected]

Takata airbag lawyer Timothy L. Miles ​

Timothy L. Miles is a top-rated and AV preeminent lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee and a nationally known class action and products liability lawyer who has been leading the fight to protect consumer rights for over 22 years. Mr. Miles received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1995 and his J.D. from the Nashville School of Law in May 2001, graduating third in his class, and was made a member of the Honorable Society of Cooper’s Inn which is reserved for students graduating in the top ten percent of their class.

He is admitted to practice before the Tennessee Supreme Court; the United States District Court for the Western, Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee and the District of Colorado; and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He is a member of the Nashville Bar Association; National Trial Lawyers Association; and Harry Phillips American Inns of Court (Student Member 2000). Mr. Miles has dedicated his career to representing consumers and shareholders in complex class-action litigation, products liability and mass torts.

Whether serving as lead, co-lead, or liaison counsel, Mr. Miles has helped recover millions of dollars for aggrieved consumers, shaped precedent-setting decisions, and delivered real corporate governance reforms. Judges and peers have repeatedly recognized Mr. Miles’ relentless advocacy for the underdog, as well as his unbendable ethical standards.
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For example, Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, which is by invitation only and is “extended to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, and leadership in their respective state based upon objective and uniformly applied criteria.” The National Trial Lawyers Association explained the significance of this honor: “With the selection of Timothy L. Miles by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, [Mr.] Miles has shown that he exemplifies superior qualifications, leadership skills, and trial results as a trial lawyer. The selection process for this elite honor is based on a multi-phase process which includes peer nominations combined with third party research.” Further, “[m]embership is extended only to the select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state or region who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by objective and uniformly applied standards in compliance with state bar and national Rule 4-7.”
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Additionally, Mr. Miles has maintained an AV Preeminent Rating in securities law with Martindale-Hubble since 2014, their highest award given. The coveted AV Preeminent rating is reserved for “[a]n elite group of approximately 10 percent of all attorneys.”  Additionally, while Martindale’s peer review ratings have been trusted for decades because they are based on the opinions and feedback of fellow legal practitioners, the organization’s special judicial edition rating, which Mr. Miles received this year for the sixth year in a row, is an even higher honor. As Martindale notes, the prestigious judicial rating is its highest possible distinction, and is representative of the opinions of both a lawyer’s peers and members of the judiciary.

CONTACT                                                      
The Law Offices of Timothy L. Miles
Tapestry at Brentwood Town Center
​300 Centerview Dr., #247
Brentwood, TN 37027
​​Phone:(855) 846-6529
​Email: [email protected]
​Websites:
www.classactionlawyertn.com