Report: More Than 400,000 Defective Airbags Remain Unrepaired In Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of thousands of Tennessee residents are driving recalled vehicles with dangerously defective airbags that could blast sharp metal fragments at the driver and passenger upon deployment, resulting in serious injury or death, even in a minor crash.
According to the U. S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the ongoing, urgent airbag safety recall - the largest and most complex recall in U.S. history - affects tens of millions of vehicles from 19 vehicle manufacturers, and over 200 models and model years. At least 16 Americans have been killed, and more than 300 individuals have allegedly suffered serious injuries caused by these defective airbags.
As of March 2019, at least 400,000 defective airbags in approximately 400,000 vehicles remain unrepaired in Tennessee. That means 45 percent of airbags affected by the airbag recall in Tennessee have yet to be repaired, even after dozens of outreach attempts by vehicle manufacturers.
This safety recall is particularly urgent for drivers of older, affected vehicles in Tennessee - because prolonged exposure to high heat and humidity over time makes the defect even worse, increasing the potential for serious injury or death.
While the recall affects vehicles made by 19 different vehicle manufacturers, certain 2001-2003 Hondas and Acuras as well as certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks and Mazda B-Series trucks are considered higher risk. NHTSA urges consumers not to drive these vehicles unless they are going straight to a dealer to have them repaired immediately.
In Tennessee, more than 900 unrepaired airbags fall in the higher risk, 'Do Not Drive' category.
Tennessee residents can find out whether their vehicle has a recalled airbag at AirbagRecall.com. If they do, they can contact any of their vehicle manufacturer's nearby dealerships to schedule a free recall repair.
The recall repair is absolutely free. Parts for higher risk vehicles are in good supply at area dealerships and many are offering free towing or loaner vehicles to accommodate affected vehicle owners.
Tennessee residents who may be waiting for replacement parts for their vehicle, or who are not affected by the current recall, are also encouraged to call their vehicle manufacturer and confirm that their contact information is up to date, so they receive recall-related updates going forward.
"These airbags are dangerous and potentially deadly," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi R. King. "If your vehicle is under recall, I can't stress how urgent it is to immediately take it to your dealer for a free repair. It could save your life or the life of someone you love."
Affected vehicle manufacturers are undertaking a variety of outreach efforts to help alert vehicle owners affected by the recall and schedule free, potentially life-saving repairs. Examples of these efforts in Tennessee include:
-- In an effort to locate Acura and Honda vehicles with the highest-risk
inflators, American Honda Motor Company is sending teams of Honda
representatives to physically knock on owners' doors in Tennessee to
encourage customers to respond to the recall and assist them with
scheduling the free recall repairs. Replacement parts are available for
all recalled Acura and Honda models, and free loaner cars are available
to vehicle owners for the day of the repair.
-- General Motors Co. is working to ensure that the 5,657 owners of
unrepaired vehicles residing in the state of Tennessee are made aware
that their vehicle has an open Takata Airbag Safety Recall. GM continues
to reach out to these owners through a variety of channels: direct
mailings, emails, live phone calls, automated phone calls, text messages
and online/social media advertisements.
For more information about these and other efforts by affected auto manufacturers, please visit:
Audi USA
https://www.audiusa.com/about/takata
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BMW of North
America
www.bmwusa.com/recall
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Daimler Trucks
North America
https://alliancetruckparts.com/sterling
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FCA US LLC
www.checktoprotect.org
---
Ferrari North
America, Inc.
https://auto.ferrari.com/en_US/owners/recall-campaign/
---
Ford Motor
Company
FordAirbagInfo.com
LincolnAirbagInfo.com
---
General Motors
Co.
www.gmtakataairbag.com or 1-866-467-9700
---
American Honda
Motor Company
www.hondaairbaginfo.com
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Infiniti USA
https://www.infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall.html
---
Jaguar Land
Rover North
America
www.jaguarusa.com/airbagrecall
www.landroverusa.com/airbagrecall
---
Mazda North
American
Operations
https://www.mazdarecallinfo.com/#takata_action_plan
https://www.mazdarecallinfo.com/
---
McLaren
Automotive
https://cars.mclaren.com/ownership/america/recall
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Mercedes-Benz
USA, LLC
www.mbusa.com/recall
---
Mitsubishi
Motors North
America, Inc.
https://www.mitsubishicars.com/recall or (888) 648-7820
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Nissan USA
https://www.nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall.html
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Subaru of
America, Inc.
https://www.subaru.com/vehicle-recalls/airbags.html
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Tesla, Inc.
https://www.tesla.com/vin-recall-search
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Toyota
www.toyota.com/recall
https://www.carmaproject.com/home
https://pressroom.toyota.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=1052
---
Volkswagen Group
of America
https://www.vw.com/owners-recalls/
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ABOUT AIRBAG RECALL
Airbag Recall is a program supported by community organizations, public interest groups, private companies, elected officials, faith communities and other concerned parties to raise consumer awareness about the ongoing urgent airbag safety recall. Participants are committed to educating individuals about the risks associated with defective airbags, helping affected drivers schedule free repairs and accelerating recall completion rates. To determine if your car has a defective airbag, visit www.AirbagRecall.com and enter your vehicle identification number (VIN).
Contact:
Becky Reeves
202-295-0139
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SOURCE Airbag Recall
