Another 5 Million Vehicles Recalled for New Airbag Problem
Another 5 Million Vehicles Recalled for New Airbag Problem
Officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have found another safety issue with automotive airbags. This time, up to five million vehicles with Continental airbags are being recalled worldwide.
The faulty airbags, made by Continental Automotive Systems, may not inflate at all during a crash or could deploy randomly. The airbag problem has occurred due to moisture getting inside airbag control computers, which causes the power supplies to get damaged and fail.
Dating as far back as 2006, some vehicles from Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Mazda and Volvo Trucks will be included in the recall. Two injuries, involving 2008 Honda Accords, have already been reported due to airbags not deploying. In addition, 19 complaints have been filed by Honda Accord owners whose airbags did not inflate during crashes.
According to documents on the NHTSA website, Continental Automotive Systems first started investigating problems in 2008 when it analyzed a malfunctioning control unit that was later removed from a Mercedes. Later, in 2011, two spontaneous Continental airbag deployments occurred in Fiat Chrysler and Mercedes vehicles.
Currently, more than 600 parts have been returned due to this airbag issue.
It is estimated that about two million vehicles are affected in the U.S. Automakers say they will be replacing computers at no cost to vehicle owners.
Below are some of the affected vehicles:
2010 Honda Accord sedans
2009 Dodge Journey minivans
2008 and 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country Minivans
2009 Volkswagen Routan Minivan
2008 and 2009 C-Class Mercedes cars
2010 GLK350 Mercedes vehicles
Continental says that a warning light should appear on the dashboard signaling that the airbag control computer has shut down. If this happens, owners should immediately bring their vehicles to a dealer for repairs.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident that may be the result of a manufacturing malfunction, the personal injury attorneys at Simien & Simien can help you get justice. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and we will help you determine if there are sufficient grounds to file a lawsuit.
