Takata To Declare 33.8 Million Cars Defective Over Faulty Airbags

The Takata faulty airbag saga has been a long and tragic one, with the defective components resulting in at least half a dozen deaths, dozens of injuries, and numerous recalls. The end is nowhere in sight, however. Today the manufacturer is declaring approximately 33.8 million vehicles defective, and as a result the United States will likely see its largest ever recall — not just automotive recall, mind you, but largest consumer product recall that has ever taken place. And frankly, it's about time.

The issue revolves around Takata's faulty airbags deploying with too much force, propelling shrapnel at the passengers and potentially injuring them or causing death. The cause is believed to be due to exposure to moisture — primarily through high humidity levels — but the exact reason this happens still has not been determined.

Regardless, the faulty airbags are dangerous and many (many) vehicles have already been recalled because of them. That's not enough, though, and the NHTSA has already had to step in once to force proper measures to take place. Now it has seen its biggest victory, with Takata finally making an official declaration that vehicles with the airbags are defective.

Today Takata is expected to declare that four defect reports have been filed in the US marking 33.8 million vehicles (both the passenger and driver bags) defective. Since this problem has started, about 17 million cars across several auto makers have already been recalled in the US. The Takata defect reports will cover most of the cars that were already recalled. Areas with high humidity levels will be getting priority status due to humidity's factor in the defect.

SOURCE: The Detroit News