Regulators link Takata air bags to another death
U.S. regulators have confirmed that an air bag made by Takata Corp. was involved in the April death of a woman in Louisiana, connecting the defective air bags to a seventh fatality.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it examined the car Kylan Langlinais drove, read police and medical reports, and other evidence. Takata said it had no comment. Honda, the maker of the car, confirmed that the air bag inflator ruptured during the crash.
Takata, the NHTSA and automakers are still trying to determine why the inflators explode, but it's known that a chemical that inflates the air bags can expand with too much force, blowing apart a metal inflator and sending shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
In addition to the seven deaths, the problem is linked to more than 100 injuries. Takata bowed to government pressure in May and declared many of the air bags defective, doubling a recall of the inflators to 33.8 million. That made it the largest auto recall in U.S. history.
The recall covers air bags in cars and trucks made by 11 companies.
A 2005 Honda Accord driven by Langlinais crashed into a utility pole in Lafayette, Louisiana on the morning of April 5. Honda confirmed Friday that it sent a recall notice for the car three days before the crash. According to a lawsuit filed by Langlinais' family this week, that notice arrived two days after the crash. Langlinais died two days later.
The lawsuit says her right carotid artery was severed and that doctors didn't find any other injuries. No autopsy was performed.
Honda, Takata's largest customer and the maker of about 20 million of the affected cars, expressed its sympathies and said it is communicating with family representatives.
How To Keep Updated On The Recalls
The NHTSA has set up a website dedicated to the Takata recalls:http://www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/index.html. The NHTSA says the website will contain regular updates, recall lists, and information on the status of the Takata recalls and its investigation.
Which Makes and Models Are Recalled
According to the NHTSA, these makes and models (below) were previously recalled due to the Takata air bags. Recent updates are marked.
- BMW:
2000 - 2005 3 Series Sedan
2000 - 2006 3 Series Coupe
2000 - 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
2000 - 2006 3 Series Convertible
2001 - 2006 M3 Coupe
2001 - 2006 M3 Convertible
2002-2005 325i/325xi/330i/330xi Sedan -- Updated May 28
2002-2005 325xi/325i Sports Wagon -- Updated May 28
2002-2006 330Ci/325Ci/M3 Convertible -- Updated May 28
2002-2006 325i/330i/M3 Coupe -- Updated May 28
2002-2003 M5/540i/525i/530i Sedan -- Updated May 28
2002-2003 540i/525i Sports Wagon -- Updated May 28
2003-2004 X5 3.0i/4.4i Sports Activity Vehicle -- Updated May 28
- CHRYSLER:
2003 - 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
2004 - 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup -- Updated May 28
2003, 2005 - 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 -- Updated May 28
2005 - 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup -- Updated May 28
2003, 2006 - 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 -- Updated May 28
2006 - 2009 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup -- Updated May 28
2007-2009 Dodge Ram 3500 Cab Chassis -- Updated May 28
2006 - 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
2008 - Dodge Ram 5500
2008 - 2010 Dodge Ram 45000/5500 Cab Chassis -- Updated May 28
2004 - 2008 Dodge Durango -- Updated May 28
2005 - 2011 Dodge Dakota -- Updated May 28
2005-2010 Dodge Charger/Magnum -- Updated May 28
2005 - 2010 Chrysler 300/300C/SRT8 -- Updated May 28
2007 - 2008 Chrysler Aspen -- Updated May 28
2008-2009 Sterling 4500/5500 Cab Chassis -- Updated May 28
- CHEVROLET - Added May 29
2007 - 2008 Silverado 2500 HD
2007 - 2008 Silverado 3500 HD
2007 - 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 HD
2007 - 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 HD
- FORD: -- Updated June 1
2004 - 2006 Ranger
2005 - 2006 GT
2005 - 2014 Mustang
- GENERAL MOTORS:
2003 - 2005 Pontiac Vibe -- Added May 19: 2006 - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
- HONDA -- Updated June 3
2001 - 2007 Honda Accord
2001 - 2005 Honda Civic
2002 - 2006 Honda CR-V
2003 - 2011 Honda Element
2002 - 2004 Honda Odyssey
2003 - 2008 Honda Pilot
2006 - Honda Ridgeline
2003 - 2006 Acura MDX
2002 - 2003 Acura TL
2003 - Acura CL
2005 - Acura RL
- MAZDA: -- Updated June 4
2003 - 2008 Mazda 6
2006 - 2007 Mazda Speed6
2004 - 2008 Mazda RX-8
2004 - 2005 MPV
2004 - B-Series Truck
- MITSUBISHI:
2004 - 2006 Lancer / Lancer Evolution -- Updated May 28
2004 Lancer Sportback -- Updated May 28
2006 - 2007 Raider -- Added May 28: 2008 - 2010 Mitsubishi Raider
- NISSAN:
2001 - 2003 Nissan Maxima
2001 - 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
2002 - 2004 Nissan Sentra
2001 - 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
2002 - 2003 Infiniti QX4
2003 - 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
- SUBARU:
2003 - 2005 Baja
2003 - 2005 Legacy
2003 - 2005 Outback
2004 - 2005 Impreza
2005 Saab 9-2x -- Updated May 29
- TOYOTA:
2002 - 2005 Lexus SC
2002 - 2005 Toyota Corolla -- Added May 19: 2006 - 2007 Toyota Corolla
2003 - 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix -- Added May 19: 2006 - 2007 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2002 - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
2003 - 2005 Toyota Tundra