Late in June of 2016, Toyota announced a recall of 1.43 million vehicles equipped with defective airbags manufactured by the Swedish-American company Autoliv. The vehicles affected by the recall include the Lexus C200H as well as multiple Prius hybrid models produced between 2010 and 2012. Nearly 500,000 vehicles containing the defective airbags were sold and distributed in the United States. This event represents the second major recall of vehicles containing faulty airbags this year.
Toyota’s affected vehicles have been equipped with faulty “side-curtain” airbags meant to protect drivers and passengers in the event of side-impact collisions. The airbag supplier has cited improper welding done on inflators as being responsible for the defect. Hot weather conditions can lead to a fracture in the metal tubing and cause the inflator to break. The airbags have been reported to spontaneously deploy, ejecting metal pieces of the inflator into the vehicle cabins. Thankfully, no deaths or injuries have yet been reported as a result of the defective Autoliv airbags. Individuals can check on the statutes of the vehicles included in the recall on Toyota’s safety recall website.
Earlier this year, Autoliv competitor, Takata was the subject of a recall affecting nearly 100 million vehicles worldwide. Defective Takata airbags were installed on the driver side and front-seat passenger locations and have been linked to at least 14 deaths in hundreds of accidents. Automakers have recalled more than 60 million vehicles containing the Takata airbags within the United States alone.
Have You Been Injured Due to an Automotive Defect?
The airbags installed in a vehicle are a core component of its safety features and a defect can lead to serious injuries and even death. Although no injuries have yet been reported in the case of the Autoliv airbags, the potential for serious injury exists and may still occur. If you have sustained injuries due to a faulty product or if you believe that a defect in your airbag contributed to your injuries, contact The Gilbert Law Group® at 888.711.5947. Our award-winning automotive defect lawyers can help you discover if you have a claim as well as your legal options in a free initial consultation.
