US safety authority opens new investigation on Takata airbags

Thirty million vehicles in the United States are being investigated by authorities for potential dangers associated with Takata airbag components.

The latest announcement comes off the back of the largest automotive recall in history – in which more than 100 million Takata airbags were replaced worldwide.

The US National Highway Traffic Authority (NHTSA) has opened a new investigation in recent days, according to Reuters, which encompasses some two dozen carmakers and is in addition to those included in the previous global recall.

It’s understood vehicles manufactured between 2001 and 2019 are the focus of this probe – with the former recall, which is only just concluding, focusing on ‘NADI 5-AT’ airbag inflators fitted to cars built from 1996 to 2000.

According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the Takata NADI 5-AT airbags caused 33 deaths worldwide, with more than 350 injuries reported.

2

“The ACCC is not aware of any deaths or injuries in Australia outside of the compulsory Takata airbag recall or the voluntary recall of vehicles containing Takata NADI 5-AT airbag inflators,” a spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission told WhichCar.

“The ACCC engaged with NHTSA in relation to the compulsory recall and the voluntary NADI 5-AT recall.”

It’s understood the new NHTSA investigation will conduct engineering analysis on inflators fitted to 30 million cars in the US from brands including; BMW, Chrysler, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla, and Toyota.

There is no evidence at this stage to suggest Australian-delivered vehicles from these manufacturers pose any danger to occupants.

Earlier this month, a number of car companies agreed to a $52 million settlement against class-action lawsuits in NSW relating to Takata NADI 5-AT airbags.