Takata Airbag Recall: Regulators In Talks About Taking Over

In what would end up being an unprecedented move in the U.S., government regulators are in talks about intervening in the Takata airbag scandal, doing so to ensure that all repairs are made efficiently and quickly. Reasons cited revolve around the sheer size of the recall, with a dozen major auto makers being involved and millions of cars. According to a recent report, the NHTSA is leaning in favor of taking over.

The information comes from Reuters, which reports that US regulators will make a decision in November about whether to coordinate the Takata airbag recall itself. How that might happen isn't clear, and doesn't yet appear to be determined. One method could involve having an independent overseer take control. In addition, indie repair shops may be tapped to help speed up the rate of repairs.

Dozens of injuries and at least eight deaths have been linked to the faulty Takata airbags. Humidity is believed to play a factor in the faulty hardware, which can deploy with too much force when the vehicle is in a collision. That deployment could end up launching shrapnel into the car's cabin, causing injury to the driver and passengers.

In a statement, the NHTSA's administrator Mark Rosalind said, "If there wasn't coordination, this could be chaos. There is, frankly, enough confusion as it is. How far we go, what options we choose, that's what will be determined." It is expected the decision will be in by November 26.

SOURCE: Reuters