Nissan is warning owners of certain older car models to avoid driving them if they have not had their Takata airbags fixed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a “Do Not Drive” alert affecting 83,920 vehicles, including specific versions of the Nissan Sentra, Nissan Pathfinder, and Infiniti QX4 made in the early 2000s. This warning comes because Takata airbags, which were recalled in 2020, still pose safety risks. Nissan is offering free towing, mobile repair services, and temporary replacement vehicles to affected owners in certain areas.
The main danger with these faulty Takata airbags is that they could explode when deployed, sending out sharp metal pieces that can cause serious injuries or even death. The NHTSA has confirmed 27 deaths in the United States linked to these defective airbags, with at least 400 others injured. This problem is huge, with 67 million airbag inflators recalled in the US and over 100 million worldwide, making it one of the largest automotive safety recalls ever.
The seriousness of the situation is clear from the legal troubles Takata is facing. In 2017, the company filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan and the US after agreeing to pay $1 billion in criminal penalties. This was because of Takata’s deceitful actions in selling their faulty airbag inflators. The recall and legal actions show how crucial it is to quickly and openly deal with vehicle safety issues to prevent more tragedies.
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