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The Takata airbag recall has been one of the largest and most complex automotive recalls in history. The recall has included over 67 million airbags in 42 million vehicles across numerous brands. Takata’s airbags, which used an ammonium nitrate-based propellant, were found to degrade over time. This was especially the case under high humidity and temperature fluctuations.
The airbag degradation could result in an explosion during the airbag’s deployment. The airbag would then send metal shrapnel into the cabin, causing severe injuries and fatalities. As of 2024, these airbags were linked to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries in the U.S. alone.
A significant concern is the backlog of vehicles, especially in regions like Texas where over 700,000 vehicles with defective Takata airbags remain unrepaired. Manufacturers have been offering free repairs, even towing vehicles to service centers, to address the backlog.
The Takata Airbag Lawsuits
Takata airbag issues have resulted in extensive litigation across multiple fronts, involving personal injury, wrongful death, and economic loss claims.
To assist victims, Takata created a $125 million trust fund to cover personal injury claims and compensate individuals who suffered physical harm from the airbags. A separate $850 million fund was established to reimburse automakers for recall costs.
Automakers linked to Takata airbags faced lawsuits for economic losses. Consumers also said their vehicles lost value, in addition to related costs that accrued. In 2017, a class action settlement of over $1.5 billion was given to vehicle owners affected by these losses. This money covered costs such as towing, car rentals, and lost wages.
These settlements include agreements with automakers like Honda, which also settled a separate multistate suit for $85 million in 2020, following allegations it knowingly concealed airbag risks from regulators and the public. The settlement required Honda to adopt stronger safety measures in its future airbag designs.
What Is Product Liability?
Takata airbag problems fall under the broader category of product liability cases. Product liability is a legal area that holds manufacturers, distributors, or sellers accountable for placing defective or unsafe products in the marketplace. It covers harm caused by design defects, manufacturing flaws, or insufficient instructions or warnings.
Plaintiffs can seek compensation if a product causes injury. These cases typically proceed under negligence, strict liability, or breach of warranty claims. The purpose is to ensure consumer protection and encourage safer product standards.
How much will I get from the Takata airbag settlement?
Compensation from the Takata airbag settlement varies. For economic losses (medical bills, for example), the settlement offers reimbursement. For personal injury or wrongful death claims, Takata’s $125 million trust fund provides payments based on injury severity. Individual payouts can range widely, but typically increase with the extent of harm suffered.
What Now?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to monitor the recall, urging vehicle owners to check their VIN on sites like safercar.gov and to repair affected airbags promptly.
For further details, you can explore sources like Consumer Reports and NHTSA’s official site, both of which provide updates on recall completion rates and affected vehicle models.
Use our form below or call (608) 448-6242 to speak with a car accident lawyer about airbag lawsuits and recalls.
