Takata Corporation, the Tokyo, Japan-based air bag manufacturer has announced that it is recalling 34 million air bags worldwide, a move representing the largest automobile recall in North American history, reports The Globe and Mail.
These defective air bags have led to six deaths internationally, and will impact cars from eleven automakers, including Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corp. All fatalities thus far have occurred in Honda vehicles.
According to government regulators, the air bags are deploying too forcefully, sending sharp debris and shrapnel throughout the vehicle. It is also accused of evading further investigation into the faulty auto parts.
“Takata should have been much more aggressive before now in protecting passengers through a national recall,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “In the meantime the Department of Justice should be taking appropriate action to investigate and impose penalties.”
Starting in February, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has fined Takata $14,000 a day for failing to cooperate in its airbag safety probe. Takata faces a maximum of $70 million in penalties from the agency.
The recall, however, is estimated to cost Takata somewhere between $4 billion to $5 billion, not including the host of class action lawsuits that are expected to arise in U.S. and Canadian courts, as well as the fees that will be incurred by further regulatory and criminal investigations into the matter.
