A teen driver killed in a car accident last July has reportedly been called the ninth victim of a defective auto part. The teen died just days before a massive recall of the Takata airbag was announced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the Takata airbag defect, which can cause airbags manufactured by Takata to rupture and explode, could have caused the teen’s fatal accident.
NHTSA came to that conclusion after an attorney for the teen’s family contacted them with suspicions that the Takata airbag defect may have caused the accident. NHTSA has since announced that the recall efforts are being expanded.
What Is Being Done about the Takata Auto Defect?
Takata manufactures parts for a number of car companies. A massive recall has been ordered covering 23 million Takata airbags installed in 19 million cars sold by 12 different companies, including the following: Honda, Fiat Chrysler, GM, BMW, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Daimler Trucks.
Letters from NHTSA have been sent to various other car manufacturers asking them to identify any and all models that have a Takata airbag installed. “It is expected that the scope of the current Takata recalls may expand as time goes on and will likely grow to include vehicles that are outside the scope of the current recalls,” read the letters sent to Mercedes, VW, Volvo, Tesla, Suzuki, Jaguar and Spartan Motors.
In addition, the agency has appointed an independent monitor, a former Justice Department official, who will be responsible for making sure that Takata is in full compliance with the ordered recall. It will likely take years to replace each defective airbag.