The Takata airbag recall has reached massive levels, with approximately 17 million vehicles affected in the U.S. and another seven million worldwide. The recall stems from an issue within the airbag inflator that can cause airbags to deploy improperly in the event of a crash and shoot metal fragments at the occupants. Initially, only six automakers were involved in the recall, but the recall continues to expand in scope. At least 140 injuries have been linked to the defective airbags and over two deaths. The defective airbags were installed in cars manufactured by Chrysler, Ford, BMW, Acura, GM, Honda, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota. The exact cause of the defect is not yet known, with Takata claiming mishandling or improper storage as the root cause.

The following are answers to some of the most frequent questions asked surrounding the recalls:

1. How do I know if my car is among the vehicles recalled?

Most owners of recalled vehicles will receive a notice in the mail. If you have not received a notice but suspect your vehicle may be involved, or if you lost the notice, you can go on safecar.gov or to the maker of your vehicle’s website. Both sites should allow you to enter your car’s vehicle identification or VIN number. This number is unique to your vehicle and using it the database can determine whether your vehicle was recalled. Several lists are also circulating online which should provide you with an initial idea as to whether your vehicle may be involved.

2. What should I do if my car is one of the recalled models?

You should immediately contact the closest dealer for your vehicle to schedule an appointment to repair the defect. If you live in an area of high humidity and temperatures you are at an increased risk for serious injury, so do not delay initiating the repair. Some automobile makers have reported that they have long wait times due to part shortages. A few automobile makers are recommending that you not allow passengers to sit in the front passenger seat until the necessary repairs have been made.

3. How soon will my car be fixed?

The speed of repair will depend upon your automaker. Some automakers are experiencing a shortage of inflator replacement parts, while others are well stocked. Some owners of recalled vehicles report long waits. The government is pushing for speedier repairs.

4. What happens while I wait?

This will similarly depend on your automaker and your comfort level. Some automakers, like Toyota, have elected to disable the passenger airbags and place a sticker stating that no one should ride in that seat until the replacement has been installed. Other automakers are merely suggesting that drivers not allow passengers in the affected seat until the repair is made. A few automakers are allowing loaner cars to those stuck waiting, but the vast majority are not.

Lundy Law: Assisting The Victims of Car Accidents Linked to Defective Automobiles

The Takata airbag recall is one of several large recalls to issue in recent years. If you have been injured in an accident that may be linked to a defective Takata airbag, or an accident caused by any other automobile defect, the Personal Injury Attorneys at Lundy Law can help. We represent car accident victims across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Our award winning and experienced team of automobile accident attorneys is well versed in the unique area of the law that surrounds defective automobile suits. To schedule a consultation with one of our exemplary automobile accident attorneys, call Lundy Law today at 1 (800) LUNDYLAW®.