For the past few years, automakers whose vehicles are equipped with defective Takata airbags have been racing to repair recalled airbags amid continuing reports of deaths and injuries. As of August, there have been 20 deaths in connection with faulty Takata airbags in the United States, Malaysia, and Australia. In the United States alone, 69 million airbags have been recalled – this amounts to the largest recall in U.S. history.
Automakers are ultimately responsible for replacing Takata airbags regardless of the fate of the airbag supplier according to regulators. Over the past few years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expressed concern that automakers were lax in their efforts to repair defective Takata airbags. Automakers have subsequently stepped up their efforts to locate car owners and convince them to repair their faulty airbags. For instance, in 2016, Honda workers began visiting the homes of the owners of 2001-2003 Honda vehicles, which are the most prone to airbag failure.
Ford is not satisfied with its progress in locating and repairing vehicles with defective Takata airbags. As a result, the automaker is implementing its own incentives to get car owners to conform to recall requests for Takata airbags. In August, Ford began offering U.S. dealers $1000 for every truck whose airbag it replaces. The offer applies to all 2006 Ford Rangers equipped with defective Takata airbags in the United States. Ford stated that its cash offer is intended to persuade dealers to take “additional unprecedented measures to locate, account for and/or repair the remaining 2006 Rangers as soon as possible.”
The 2006 Ford Rangers implicated in the recall are subject to “critical warnings” that contain “do not drive” notices. The unrepaired 2006 Ford Rangers in the “Do Not Drive” recall is particularly susceptible to exploding airbags and must be repaired as soon as possible. These vehicles were singled out by the NHTSA in a press release in May for not being repaired quickly enough. The NHTSA news release was published just months after Ford stated that another 33,000 Rangers would be included in the recall.
If you or a member of your family suffered injury or death as a result of negligence or a defective automobile, contact the attorneys Alexander Law Group, LLP. Our exceptional personal injury lawyers will answer your questions and get you the maximum compensation that is possible. Call 888.777.1776 or contact us online.
