Mazda Recalls 270,000 Vehicles for Dangerous Takata Airbags
Mazda has issued a recall for nearly 270,000 vehicles that are equipped with defective Takata airbags which can explode upon deployment.
Details of the Mazda Airbag Recall
According to a release on Mazda’s website, the recalled airbags are defective and dangerous, posing a hazard to drivers and passengers. The recalled airbags can deploy with excess force, causing the airbags to explode and send metal shrapnel into the cabin.
Mazda encourages affected owners to take immediate action to have their vehicles repaired. Repairs will be made at no cost to the customer; however, parts for some newly added vehicles are not yet available.
The following vehicles are include in the recall:
- 2004-2009 Mazda B-Series
- 2003-2012 Mazda 6
- 2006-2007 Mazda Speed6
- 2004-2006 Mazda MPV
- 2004-2011 Mazda RX-8
- 2007-2012 Mazda CX-7
- 2007-2012 Mazda CX-9
Takata Airbags Linked to Multiple Deaths, Subject of Federal Inquiries
The Takata recalls deal with some 125 million vehicles worldwide that are equipped with faulty airbags that can explode on deployment, unleashing metal shrapnel into vehicle cabins. At least 42 million of the affected vehicles were sold in the United States.
So far, 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries have been linked to the faulty airbag inflators, most of which have occurred in the U.S.
The defect led Takata to file for bankruptcy protection in June, allowing it to sell its non-airbag inflator business to Key Safety Systems, a unit of China’s Ningo Joyson Electric Corp.
Earlier this month, U.S. Senators called for a congressional hearing dealing with the defective airbags and resulting recalls.
According to Senator Jerry Moran, the hearing would review the “current manufacturer recall completion rates, the Takata bankruptcy and transition to new ownership under Key Safety Systems, and what all stakeholders including NHTSA are doing to ensure this process continues to move forward.”
To date, less than half of affected vehicles have been repaired.
In February, Ford issued a “stop driving” warning to 35,000 Ford ranger and Mazda B-Series owners.
Contact an Experienced Airbag Recall Attorney
f you or a loved one have been injured by a defective and dangerous Takata airbag, call Thomas J. Henry today. Our attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends to evaluate your claim and provide you with a free legal consultation. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, serving clients across Texas and nationwide.