Millions of Cars Still Have Defective Air Bags: Here’s How to Check Yours
Business + Economy

Millions of Cars Still Have Defective Air Bags: Here’s How to Check Yours

blog.naver.com

One in eight vehicles on the road could have a potentially deadly defective air bag installed but most drivers are unaware of the issue, according to a new report from Kelley Blue Book.

Despite the unprecedented scope of the Takata air bag recall, about a third of drivers don’t know whether their car is affected by it, the survey found. Nearly half of drivers are not even aware of the issue.

Airbags

“Consumer opinions on the Takata air bag recall seem to be another unfortunate case of people thinking ‘it won’t happen to me,’ but this is easily the largest, most expensive automotive safety issue in U.S. history,” Kelley Blue Book Senior Analyst Karl Brauer said in a statement.

The Japanese firm has recalled more than 50 million air bags worldwide, following reports that the safety devices improperly inflate on a collision and can spew shrapnel at passengers. The air bags have been linked to 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries, according to Reuters. The defect is particularly dangerous in hot and humid regions such as Florida, Texas, and Southern California.

Related: Some New Cars Still Include Defective Takata Airbags

To find out whether your car is affected, enter the VIN number at SaferCar.gov and contact your manufacturer to schedule a fix.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a warning last month that seven older Honda and Acura models were at an even higher risk for a dangerous incident and that they should not be driven at all until they’ve been repaired.

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