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In a recent safety advisory, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a stern warning to the owners of nearly 84,000 older Nissan vehicles in the United States. Equipped with unrepaired Takata airbags, these vehicles pose a significant safety hazard, prompting NHTSA to urge owners to cease driving them immediately. This advisory comes amidst a decade-long global recall of Takata airbag inflators, marking one of the most extensive auto safety callbacks in history.
If you or a loved one experienced an injury due to these faulty airbags, you’re not alone. Contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.
Takata Airbags: What to Know
The affected vehicles, including the 2002-2006 model year Nissan Sentra, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4, were recalled in 2020 due to faulty Takata airbag inflators. However, despite the recall, many of these vehicles remain unrepaired, leaving owners vulnerable to potentially catastrophic consequences.
Takata airbag inflators have been linked to over 30 deaths worldwide, including 27 in the United States, along with hundreds of injuries. The defective inflators have been known to explode upon deployment, projecting metal shrapnel into the vehicle's interior, leading to life-threatening injuries or fatalities.
Owners of the affected Nissan vehicles are strongly urged not to drive them until the necessary repairs are completed and the defective airbags are replaced. Nissan dealerships are offering complimentary towing services, mobile repairs, and, in certain locations, temporary loaner vehicles.
The Takata airbag issue extends beyond Nissan, however, affecting millions of vehicles across various automakers. Last year, Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, issued warnings for 29,000 2003 Dodge Ram pickups following a fatal incident involving a Takata airbag inflator explosion. Similarly, Toyota issued urgent recall notices for 50,000 older vehicles in January, highlighting the widespread nature of the safety concern.
These faulty airbags should have never been installed, and with the proper safety testing would have never been installed in the first place. The safety of motorists and passengers should be a company’s top priority, especially in the face of potential hazards like faulty Takata airbag inflators.
The recent advisory from NHTSA serves as a timely reminder for owners of older Nissan vehicles to prioritize safety and take immediate action to address the recall. By heeding these warnings and participating in the recall process, owners can help prevent tragic accidents and ensure safer roadways for everyone.
If you or someone you love got injured due to a defective airbag, contact Morgan & Morgan to learn more about how you can get justice.