Auto dealers throughout Cedar Rapids have been receiving calls from owners concerned that their vehicle could be equipped with defective Takata airbags. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expanded an existing recall of vehicles equipped with these potentially dangerous airbags, with the overall number of affected units now totaling 7.8 million. This figure is an increase from an original recall of 4.7 million vehicles. The specific danger with these airbags is that they may explode, forcibly expelling metal and plastic shards that can injure drivers and passengers.

The affected vehicles include a wide range of makes and models, spanning model years 2000-2008. However, as Dave Wright of Dave Wright Auto recently pointed out, if a person’s vehicle is listed in the recall, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is equipped with the defective airbags. Owners are advised to call their local dealership and provide them with the VIN so they can determine whether or not it is specifically included in the recall.

Right now, companies are sending out letters to owners affected by this safety concern, and are coming up with a plan for how to best address the service needs of these vehicles. According to the NHTSA, vehicles that are in areas with high temperatures and high humidity are most at risk for the dangers posed by these airbags, and vehicle owners in such locations should take action to address the recall as soon as possible.

Written by James H. Arenson

Last Updated : October 27, 2014