Next to the seatbelt, the invention of the airbag has probably saved more lives in automobiles than any other safety innovation since the advent of the car. From the old garbage-bag versions of the 1970’s (remember the one at popped out of the “family roadster” into Clark Griswold’s face in National Lampoon’s Vacation?) to the modern, high tech models, airbags have grown into an automotive necessity in 2015.
That being said, the airbag in your car right now could cause you serious injury or even death.
Last week the largest automotive recall in history was announced by airbag manufacturer Takata. The Japanese company is recalling the airbags in over 34 million vehicles in the United States. That is approximately one out of every seven cars in the U.S.
The defective airbags have been tied to at least five deaths in the United States and numerous injuries. In some instances the airbags, when deployed, have been known to send metal shrapnel into the face and torso of the driver and passenger of the vehicle.
While the recall has been announced, and while your vehicle might be under the recall, don’t expect replacement airbags anytime soon.
First, the replacement airbags must be manufactured, then local dealerships must find ways to schedule all of the appointments to swap the airbags out. It could take up to five years to replace the defective units.
“The ability to replace so many airbags in so many cars is beyond anybody’s capability,” consumer advocate Clark Howard said. “You’ve got so many vehicles; it’s a specialized skill to replace these. This one is going to take a long, long time.”
Dozens of vehicle types are under the recall umbrella, most built between 2000 and 2011.
If you are wondering if your vehicle is under the recall, there is website set up by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that should help you out: www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/index.html.
If your car is under recall, Clark has advice on how to go about getting your replacement airbags.
“You need to stay in constant contact with the service department at your brand dealership trying to get an appointment, getting in the queue, to have the airbags in your vehicle replaced,” Howard said.
Clark owns a car that was a part of the original recall which impacted 18 million vehicles, but he still hasn’t gotten them replaced.
“The problem was that they didn’t have the airbags yet to replace them,” Howard said. “Now I’ve received the email that the airbags are available, but I can’t get an appointment. I am in the same soup with everybody else.”
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