Thomson ReutersA recalled Takata airbag inflator is shown after it was removed it from a Honda Pilot at the AutoNation Honda dealership service department in MiamiWASHINGTON (Reuters) – Honda Motor Co said on Wednesday that a driver in Texas was killed on March 31 after a Takata airbag ruptured, the tenth USA death linked to a defect that has led to the recall of tens of millions of vehicles worldwide.
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Since previous year Honda has been recalling several models of its cars that have Takata airbags in them. The automaker said the owner had been noticed multiple times by mail over the recall campaign, but repairs were never made.
We would note, however, that while it is of the utmost importance for owners to fix their recalled vehicles promptly, it is not their fault when a component-in this case, an airbag manufactured by Takata-is fatally flawed.
So far 14 automakers have recalled 24 million USA vehicles to replace the inflators, which are powered by the chemical ammonium nitrate.
Takata airbags pose grave danger since their inflators can explode with excessive force and propel shrapnel towards drivers and passengers. The victim was identified only as a high school senior from Richmond, Texas, about 15 miles away from the accident scene.
“Her death was tied to a rupture of the Takata airbag inflator”, says Bryan Thomas, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, Huma’s sister told Eyewitness News she was never aware of the recall notice. The sheriff said investigators also ruled out distraction by a cellphone or other electronic device, but said “we do believe that there was a distraction in the vehicle that caused her to crash into the vehicle in front of her”.
Vehicle age and exposure to high humidity for a prolonged period of time are two of the biggest risk factors, the agency has said. You can also get breaking news alerts sent to you by email. More than 100 people have been hurt. It’s now involved in the massive recall of Takata airbag inflators. “They should definitely be trying harder to get those cars back”, said 17-year-old Alicia Trevino, the last friend to see Hanif alive.
Takata and its automaker clients, including top client Honda, are still hashing out how the costs would be shared, Bloomberg said, citing an unnamed source.
The NHTSA confirmed that Hanif’s 2002 Honda Accord had a defective air bag.
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Takata’s statement: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the driver’s family in light of this tragic death”. Honda has a variety of vehicles on the recall list.
