Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create an explosion that inflates air bags in a crash.
Advertisement
American regulators see moisture-affected ammonium nitrate as the culprit in risky explosions of air bag inflators and have been asking Takata since November to establish that the compound is safe. The 35-40 million airbags that will be recalled are not equipped with the desiccant. But over time and when exposed to airborne moisture and high temperatures, the chemical can degrade and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel.
But many owners of cars or trucks with airbags that are included on the recall list will have to wait months for a replacement airbag to become available.
“Takata is not aware of any ruptures, in the field or in testing, in the inflator products in vehicles that would be covered by this new order, nor is Takata aware of any new data or scientific analysis that suggests any substantial risk with respect to such vehicles”, the company said. While that may be true, the idea that there may be a ticking time bomb inside the steering wheel or dashboard has to be cause for concern for many drivers, particularly those with older cars used in hot, moist climates. There have been no reported ruptures of the desiccated inflators due to propellant degradation. 11 fatalities have been linked to the defect worldwide, including the March 31 death of 17-year-old Huma Hanif, from the Houston area.
The announcement represented an acceleration of planned recalls over the next 3 years as evidence of the reason behind the exploding inflators became more clear.
Rosekind credited Takata for the new approach, saying it “may be turning the corner toward a stronger” safety culture.
Takata did say in a statement that it is working with NHTSA and automakers “to develop long-term, orderly solutions to these important safety issues”.
The government confirmed figures reported by Reuters on Tuesday about the expansion of what is already the largest ever US auto safety recall.
Rosekind said that all ammonium nitrate inflators remain under review and that all will be recalled unless Takata can demonstrate their safety.
Upham said other makers of air bag inflators such as TRW Automotive, Daicel and Autoliv have agreed to ramp up production even further.
Takata will continue to offer its best effort and cooperation towards the smooth implementation of the expanded recalls. The inflator assemblies within the air bag are also not giving adequate protection against heat and humidity.
DeGaetano said his friend’s auto was affected. “The question is: Is there a player that wants to save Takata?” Even if Wednesday’s expansion would not have come then also it would have taken at least complete 2017 to have enough replacement parts to be manufactured.
Advertisement
In the first crash on April 16, a driver’s inflator on a 2006 Honda City ruptured in the crash.
