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New Takata airbag defect leads to nearly 3 million vehicle recall

A newly discovered defect has prompted a recall of nearly 3 million older model BMW, Audi, Honda, Isuzu, Toyota, and Mitsubishi vehicles in the U.S. due to potentially faulty Takata airbag inflators.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to enter their vehicle’s VIN http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls periodically in coming weeks to check for updates on whether their vehicle has been affected. 

Separate from Takata’s exploding airbag recall that affected 100 million vehicles and has been linked to at least 25 deaths worldwide, the latest defect affects front driver Non-Azide Driver Inflators (NADI) that have insufficient seals which may deteriorate over time when exposed to moisture. As a result, the inflators may explode too quickly causing airbags to rupture, possibly striking the driver or passengers with metal fragments. The airbags could also underinflate, failing to protect motorists. At least one person is believed to have died due to the defect.

According to news reports, Takata claims to have produced 4.5 million of the inflators worldwide in the late 1990s, but the manufacturer believes the majority of the devices are installed in older vehicles that are no longer in use.

Investigations are still ongoing to determine which vehicles are affected. So far, the following has been reported:  

BMW

More than 116,000 BMW 3-Series cars from model years 1999 to 2001 are included in the recall, 8,000 of which are 323i and 328i sedans made from the 1999 model year that BMW says are high-risk and sure to be affected and should be parked.

BMW has also recalled 74,000 of the following sedans from model years 1999 to 2001:

  • 323i
  • 325i
  • 328i
  • 330i

34,000 of the following sedans from model years 1999-2000 have also been recalled

  • 323i
  • 328i 

The following coupes from the 2000 model year have been recalled

  • 323Ci
  • 328Ci

Toyota

Toyota recalled nearly 139,000 vehicles, including the following vehicles:

  • Supra: 1997-1998
  • Celica: 1998-1999
  • RAV4: 1998-2000
  • RAV4 EV: 1998-1999

Honda

Honda recalled 2,376,671 vehicles including the following: 

  • Acura 2.2 CL: 1997-1998
  • Acura 2.3CL: 1998-1999
  • Acura 3.0CL: 1997-1999
  • Acura 3.2CL: 2001-2002
  • Acura 3.2TL: 1999-2001
  • Acura 3.5RL: 1998-2003
  • Acura MDX: 2001-2002
  • Honda Accord Coupe: 1998-2000
  • Honda Accord Sedan: 1998-2000
  • Honda Civic Coupe: 1996-2000
  • Honda Civic Sedan: 1998-2000
  • Honda CR-V: 1997-2001
  • Honda EV Plus: 1997-1998
  • Honda Odyssey: 1998-2001

The following Isuzu vehicles were also included in Honda’s recall:

  • Isuzu Oasis: 1998-1999  

Mitsubishi

20,000 Montero vehicles from model years 1998 through 2000 are included in the recall.

Audi

Audi recalled the following U.S. vehicles:  

  • A6: 1998-2000 A8: 1999
  • A4: 1999-2000
  • TT Coupe: 2000
  • TT Roadster: 2000-2010

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that Takata will work with automakers to determine which vehicles are affected. Vehicle recalls will continue to be announced as the investigation continues.