New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air Bags?
07-01-2016, 09:00 AM
#1
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New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air Bags?
New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air BagsCNNMoney.com
June 2, 2016
New cars are still rolling off the assembly lines with Tataka air bags that likely will need to be replaced due to risk of deadly explosions, according to a Senate report.
The design of the air bag's inflator has been identified by federal safety regulators as the problem that led to at least 13 deaths and more than 100 serious injuries. The air bags can rupture, potentially sending shrapnel into the driver and passengers.
Tens of millions of the older versions of these air bags have already been recalled. The newer versions being installed today are expected to be recalled as well, but likely not until 2017 or 2018, and that has some Tataka critics upset.
"What's troubling here is that consumers are buying new cars not realizing they're going to be recalled," said Sen. Mark Nelson, D-Fla. who released the report. "These cars shouldn't be sold until they're fixed."
One of the problems is finding alternative air bag suppliers, given that more than 30 million air bags will need to be replaced. NHTSA has reached an agreement with Takata which prohibits it from entering into new contracts for the sale of defective inflators. But it has until the end of 2018 to phase out supplying the defective inflators to fulfill existing contracts.
"The agency recognizes there are constraints due to the size and complexity of the recall," said NHTSA.
The air bags are believed to become more dangerous as they age, said the Senate report, so the new cars with flawed inflator design are probably safer than the older versions that have been recalled. But the continued use of the same Takata design is very troubling said Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.
"This may be the first time in history where multiple automakers are selling brand new cars with a known, and potentially deadly, defect," said Brauer. "The scope of this recall continues to expand, and the number of vehicles impacted by it has already reached a level that will take years to resolve."
Because the newer Takata air bags won't be recalled for a year or two, the four automakers still using the questionable air bags are not violating any law. Fiat Chrysler and Mitsubishi, two of the automakers identified in Nelson's report, pointed out that fact when asked about the report.
"Fiat Chrysler is not equipping any new vehicles with components that are currently subject to recall," said the company. But it did admit that it is still putting the flawed Takata air bags into the passenger side of one of its new vehicles, which the company declined to name. Mitsubishi said it working to arrange for an alternative supplier and it hopes to have one by 2018.
Volkswagen and Toyota are the other two companies identified in the report.
There is no firm number for how many cars are being built with the flawed air bag design.
An even bigger problem is the fact that many of the cars being repaired today also are getting newer versions of the same flawed design.
More than 500,000 Tataka air bags with that design are in automaker's inventories, due to be installed into recalled cars. Those air bags will have to be replaced a second time.
Another 2.1 million defective air bags have already been installed in recalled cars and will need to be replaced as well.
New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air Bags
June 2, 2016
New cars are still rolling off the assembly lines with Tataka air bags that likely will need to be replaced due to risk of deadly explosions, according to a Senate report.
The design of the air bag's inflator has been identified by federal safety regulators as the problem that led to at least 13 deaths and more than 100 serious injuries. The air bags can rupture, potentially sending shrapnel into the driver and passengers.
Tens of millions of the older versions of these air bags have already been recalled. The newer versions being installed today are expected to be recalled as well, but likely not until 2017 or 2018, and that has some Tataka critics upset.
"What's troubling here is that consumers are buying new cars not realizing they're going to be recalled," said Sen. Mark Nelson, D-Fla. who released the report. "These cars shouldn't be sold until they're fixed."
One of the problems is finding alternative air bag suppliers, given that more than 30 million air bags will need to be replaced. NHTSA has reached an agreement with Takata which prohibits it from entering into new contracts for the sale of defective inflators. But it has until the end of 2018 to phase out supplying the defective inflators to fulfill existing contracts.
"The agency recognizes there are constraints due to the size and complexity of the recall," said NHTSA.
The air bags are believed to become more dangerous as they age, said the Senate report, so the new cars with flawed inflator design are probably safer than the older versions that have been recalled. But the continued use of the same Takata design is very troubling said Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.
"This may be the first time in history where multiple automakers are selling brand new cars with a known, and potentially deadly, defect," said Brauer. "The scope of this recall continues to expand, and the number of vehicles impacted by it has already reached a level that will take years to resolve."
Because the newer Takata air bags won't be recalled for a year or two, the four automakers still using the questionable air bags are not violating any law. Fiat Chrysler and Mitsubishi, two of the automakers identified in Nelson's report, pointed out that fact when asked about the report.
"Fiat Chrysler is not equipping any new vehicles with components that are currently subject to recall," said the company. But it did admit that it is still putting the flawed Takata air bags into the passenger side of one of its new vehicles, which the company declined to name. Mitsubishi said it working to arrange for an alternative supplier and it hopes to have one by 2018.
Volkswagen and Toyota are the other two companies identified in the report.
There is no firm number for how many cars are being built with the flawed air bag design.
An even bigger problem is the fact that many of the cars being repaired today also are getting newer versions of the same flawed design.
More than 500,000 Tataka air bags with that design are in automaker's inventories, due to be installed into recalled cars. Those air bags will have to be replaced a second time.
Another 2.1 million defective air bags have already been installed in recalled cars and will need to be replaced as well.
New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air Bags
07-01-2016, 12:47 PM
#2
New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air BagsCNNMoney.com
June 2, 2016
New cars are still rolling off the assembly lines with Tataka air bags that likely will need to be replaced due to risk of deadly explosions, according to a Senate report.
The design of the air bag's inflator has been identified by federal safety regulators as the problem that led to at least 13 deaths and more than 100 serious injuries. The air bags can rupture, potentially sending shrapnel into the driver and passengers.
Tens of millions of the older versions of these air bags have already been recalled. The newer versions being installed today are expected to be recalled as well, but likely not until 2017 or 2018, and that has some Tataka critics upset.
"What's troubling here is that consumers are buying new cars not realizing they're going to be recalled," said Sen. Mark Nelson, D-Fla. who released the report. "These cars shouldn't be sold until they're fixed."
One of the problems is finding alternative air bag suppliers, given that more than 30 million air bags will need to be replaced. NHTSA has reached an agreement with Takata which prohibits it from entering into new contracts for the sale of defective inflators. But it has until the end of 2018 to phase out supplying the defective inflators to fulfill existing contracts.
"The agency recognizes there are constraints due to the size and complexity of the recall," said NHTSA.
The air bags are believed to become more dangerous as they age, said the Senate report, so the new cars with flawed inflator design are probably safer than the older versions that have been recalled. But the continued use of the same Takata design is very troubling said Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.
"This may be the first time in history where multiple automakers are selling brand new cars with a known, and potentially deadly, defect," said Brauer. "The scope of this recall continues to expand, and the number of vehicles impacted by it has already reached a level that will take years to resolve."
Because the newer Takata air bags won't be recalled for a year or two, the four automakers still using the questionable air bags are not violating any law. Fiat Chrysler and Mitsubishi, two of the automakers identified in Nelson's report, pointed out that fact when asked about the report.
"Fiat Chrysler is not equipping any new vehicles with components that are currently subject to recall," said the company. But it did admit that it is still putting the flawed Takata air bags into the passenger side of one of its new vehicles, which the company declined to name. Mitsubishi said it working to arrange for an alternative supplier and it hopes to have one by 2018.
Volkswagen and Toyota are the other two companies identified in the report.
There is no firm number for how many cars are being built with the flawed air bag design.
An even bigger problem is the fact that many of the cars being repaired today also are getting newer versions of the same flawed design.
More than 500,000 Tataka air bags with that design are in automaker's inventories, due to be installed into recalled cars. Those air bags will have to be replaced a second time.
Another 2.1 million defective air bags have already been installed in recalled cars and will need to be replaced as well.
New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air Bags
June 2, 2016
New cars are still rolling off the assembly lines with Tataka air bags that likely will need to be replaced due to risk of deadly explosions, according to a Senate report.
The design of the air bag's inflator has been identified by federal safety regulators as the problem that led to at least 13 deaths and more than 100 serious injuries. The air bags can rupture, potentially sending shrapnel into the driver and passengers.
Tens of millions of the older versions of these air bags have already been recalled. The newer versions being installed today are expected to be recalled as well, but likely not until 2017 or 2018, and that has some Tataka critics upset.
"What's troubling here is that consumers are buying new cars not realizing they're going to be recalled," said Sen. Mark Nelson, D-Fla. who released the report. "These cars shouldn't be sold until they're fixed."
One of the problems is finding alternative air bag suppliers, given that more than 30 million air bags will need to be replaced. NHTSA has reached an agreement with Takata which prohibits it from entering into new contracts for the sale of defective inflators. But it has until the end of 2018 to phase out supplying the defective inflators to fulfill existing contracts.
"The agency recognizes there are constraints due to the size and complexity of the recall," said NHTSA.
The air bags are believed to become more dangerous as they age, said the Senate report, so the new cars with flawed inflator design are probably safer than the older versions that have been recalled. But the continued use of the same Takata design is very troubling said Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.
"This may be the first time in history where multiple automakers are selling brand new cars with a known, and potentially deadly, defect," said Brauer. "The scope of this recall continues to expand, and the number of vehicles impacted by it has already reached a level that will take years to resolve."
Because the newer Takata air bags won't be recalled for a year or two, the four automakers still using the questionable air bags are not violating any law. Fiat Chrysler and Mitsubishi, two of the automakers identified in Nelson's report, pointed out that fact when asked about the report.
"Fiat Chrysler is not equipping any new vehicles with components that are currently subject to recall," said the company. But it did admit that it is still putting the flawed Takata air bags into the passenger side of one of its new vehicles, which the company declined to name. Mitsubishi said it working to arrange for an alternative supplier and it hopes to have one by 2018.
Volkswagen and Toyota are the other two companies identified in the report.
There is no firm number for how many cars are being built with the flawed air bag design.
An even bigger problem is the fact that many of the cars being repaired today also are getting newer versions of the same flawed design.
More than 500,000 Tataka air bags with that design are in automaker's inventories, due to be installed into recalled cars. Those air bags will have to be replaced a second time.
Another 2.1 million defective air bags have already been installed in recalled cars and will need to be replaced as well.
New Cars Still Being Built With Flawed Takata Air Bags
Is this for real? They have the audacity to state it is "probably" safer when at least 13 people have died and hundreds have been hurt? I realize that the new bags are much safer than the older ones, but what the hell man. They should not be allowed to sell these. As far as I am concerned, these are like a rolling death trap.
07-01-2016, 02:19 PM
#3
"So the new bags with flawed inflater design are probably safer".
Is this for real? They have the audacity to state it is "probably" safer when at least 13 people have died and hundreds have been hurt? I realize that the new bags are much safer than the older ones, but what the hell man. They should not be allowed to sell these. As far as I am concerned, these are like a rolling death trap.
Is this for real? They have the audacity to state it is "probably" safer when at least 13 people have died and hundreds have been hurt? I realize that the new bags are much safer than the older ones, but what the hell man. They should not be allowed to sell these. As far as I am concerned, these are like a rolling death trap.
We KNOW that the Takata inflators may rupture when subjected to high moisture and age
There are only a few airbag suppliers out there
It takes years to design a part
The inflators aren't standardized so you can't swap out a Takata inflator with an AUTOLIV or Continental inflator
Takata can't just start using a different chemical in the current design
Swapping out a inflator that is nearing the point where it would become dangerous (7-10 years depending on climate) with one with a longer shelf life makes sense.
Manufacturers and regulators are in a pickle. Do they stop selling cars because they don't have inflators that fit and will last the life of the vehicle, or do they continue to build cars knowing that they'll need to swap out airbags in several years?
07-01-2016, 04:16 PM
#4
Unfortunately, this isn't new.
We KNOW that the Takata inflators may rupture when subjected to high moisture and age
There are only a few airbag suppliers out there
It takes years to design a part
The inflators aren't standardized so you can't swap out a Takata inflator with an AUTOLIV or Continental inflator
Takata can't just start using a different chemical in the current design
Swapping out a inflator that is nearing the point where it would become dangerous (7-10 years depending on climate) with one with a longer shelf life makes sense.
Manufacturers and regulators are in a pickle. Do they stop selling cars because they don't have inflators that fit and will last the life of the vehicle, or do they continue to build cars knowing that they'll need to swap out airbags in several years?
We KNOW that the Takata inflators may rupture when subjected to high moisture and age
There are only a few airbag suppliers out there
It takes years to design a part
The inflators aren't standardized so you can't swap out a Takata inflator with an AUTOLIV or Continental inflator
Takata can't just start using a different chemical in the current design
Swapping out a inflator that is nearing the point where it would become dangerous (7-10 years depending on climate) with one with a longer shelf life makes sense.
Manufacturers and regulators are in a pickle. Do they stop selling cars because they don't have inflators that fit and will last the life of the vehicle, or do they continue to build cars knowing that they'll need to swap out airbags in several years?
I understand that the risk with these new bags is "technically" non existant because we know the cause and as long as they get replaced asap, it "should" be fine. I still feel that is it insane to sell with these bags at all.
Is there any legal recourse against the manufacturers for the people that have died?
07-01-2016, 08:55 PM
#5
My opinion is that they should completely stop production of vehicles with these air bags. I realize that it would be very difficult for some manufacturers, but selling them with these bags just isn't right. It is a gamble selling these cars in my opinion. And a gamble that puts people's lives at risk.
I understand that the risk with these new bags is "technically" non existant because we know the cause and as long as they get replaced asap, it "should" be fine. I still feel that is it insane to sell with these bags at all.
Is there any legal recourse against the manufacturers for the people that have died?
I understand that the risk with these new bags is "technically" non existant because we know the cause and as long as they get replaced asap, it "should" be fine. I still feel that is it insane to sell with these bags at all.
Is there any legal recourse against the manufacturers for the people that have died?
07-02-2016, 12:49 AM
#6
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