Report: Automakers still using defective Takata airbags

At least four automakers are still installing defective Takata airbags in some new vehicles, according to an investigation spearheaded by Senate Democrats.

{mosads}Fiat Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Toyota and Volkswagen admitted to equipping some of their vehicles with Takata’s non-desiccated ammonium-nitrate inflators, according to a report released by the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday.

The airbags, which can explode with too much force and spray shrapnel into the vehicle, have been linked to 13 deaths and 100 injuries worldwide, leading to the largest auto recall in United States history. Takata announced last month it was recalling another 35 million to 40 million airbag inflators.

“What’s troubling here is that consumers are buying new cars not realizing they’re going to be recalled,” said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), ranking member on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “These cars shouldn’t be sold until they’re fixed.”

Only two of the four automakers provided the specific models that may contain defective inflators: the 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, 2016 Volkswagen CC, 2016 Audi TT and 2017 Audi R8.

The investigation also found that recall rates remain low. As of May 20, nationwide recall completion rates for each automaker range from 0.16 to 57.1 percent, according to the report.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the inflators are safer than the older models that were already recalled but that they are requiring them to be recalled by the end of 2019.

“This shocking development is just another chapter in the seemingly surreal Takata airbag story which continues to unfold,” said Rich Newsome, senior partner at Newsome Melton Law in Orlando, who represents over 20 Takata victims. “Takata has been given until the end of 2019 before it has to recall all of the 70 million vehicles which it has identified as having defective airbags. Until that time it’s impossible for consumers to find out if their vehicle has a defective airbag which will need to be replaced.”