Airbag Defects Recalled Again — Why?


Airbag Defects Recalled Again — Why?

February, 2015

Dear Care for Crash Victims Community Members:
More recalls announced by NHTSA.  NHTSA identified the following vehicle models:

“What vehicles are being recalled?

  • 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty and 2002-2004 Grand Cherokees (about 750,000 vehicles);
  • 2003-2004 Honda Odysseys and 2003 Acura MDXs (about 370,000 vehicles);
  • 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibes, Dodge Vipers, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrixes and  Toyota     Avalons (about 1 million vehicles, not all of which were sold in the United States)”

See  http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2015/safety-advisory-01-31-2015

NY Times reports:

Toyota, Chrysler and Honda are recalling about 2.1 million vehicles with airbags that might suddenly deploy even when the vehicle is not in a crash after earlier recalls did not sufficiently address the problem. Federal regulators said replacement parts might not be fully available until the end of the year.”  Seehttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/01/business/vehicles-with-faulty-airbags-are-recalled-for-second-time.html?mabReward=CTM&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine&_r=0
The Why Questions
*  Millions of Americans in danger of airbags that deploy when they shouldn’t and by airbags that don’t deploy when they should.  Why?
*  The GM ignition switch victim compensation plan is now closed to any future victim or family who suffers a fatality or serious injury with airbags that did not deploy.  Why?   See https://www.careforcrashvictims.com/blog-deleteignition.php  and http://www.gmignitioncompensation.com/index  and currently only 50 deaths deemed eligible out of 338 fatality death claims made.  See http://www.gmignitioncompensation.com/docs/program_Statistics.pdf
*  Recalled vehicles may not be fixed for a year — or ever.  Why?
*  Recalled defective vehicles involve models on the roads for more than a decade.  Why?
*  Perhaps the biggest “Why?” question is: Why did NHTSA became more of a captive agency during the decade since the early 2000s?  Seehttps://www.careforcrashvictims.com/assets/CFCV-MonthlyReport-March2014.pdf
And how many more lives will continue to be lost needlessly until NHTSA is fixed?   Why won’t NHTSA be fixed anytime soon?  See Takata’s responses to airbag crisis at http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2015/01/20/takata-review-panel-includes-former-nhtsa-chiefs/22043355/  and at http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/18/us-autos-takata-lawyer-exclusive-idUSKCN0J22PP20141118
Bottom line: It’s political.
Lou

 

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