Modern vehicles have become much safer and more reliable. Even if you get into an accident, there are things, such as airbags and seatbelts, that have been in place for decades to help save lives. However, not long ago, there was a major recall on vehicles with Takata airbags. It was a serious thing, and one automaker wound up trying to cover it up. More importantly, there are still vehicles with these recalled airbags on the road. Here’s what you need to know about the Takata airbag recall and how it is still impacting people years later.
How The Takata Airbags Scheme Unraveled
Takata, a once-trusted Japanese supplier, manufactured airbag inflators using ammonium nitrate, a cheaper but unstable propellant. Over time, especially in hot and humid climates, this compound degraded, making airbags explode instead of inflate safely. Starting in 2009, reports of shrapnel-spewing airbags began surfacing, causing dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. Yet Takata hid test data revealing this danger, suppressing internal reports dating back as far as 2004. The result? The auto industry’s largest recall: over 100 million Takata airbags replaced worldwide. But that’s only part of the story.
Which Car Brand Covered It Up?
While Takata manufactured the faulty components, carmakers are not blameless—especially Honda. Investigations revealed Honda knew about the defect well before recall campaigns began, but delayed action. Rather than alert drivers or regulators, they quietly continued installing Takata airbags into new models, even as early as 1998. This concealment turned what could have been limited fixes into a global crisis. Honda models, along with their Acura siblings, ended up being among the most affected vehicles on the road.
Why Your Car Might Still Be Dangerous
Even today, many vehicles from 1998 to 2015 still contain Takata airbags. Automakers have been issuing phased recalls, yet some remain unresolved. Notably, Citroën (part of Stellantis) and Ford, Toyota, BMW, and Nissan have cars still subject to recalls. For instance, France recently urged all Citroën C3 and DS3 models built between 1998 and 2019 to be pulled from the road following deadly airbag malfunctions. If your car is older than a decade, now is absolutely the time to check its airbag status.
How to Find Out If You’re Still At Risk
Step one: locate your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Step two: go to the NHTSA recall lookup page or your country’s equivalent. Step three: Enter the VIN to check if your model carries a Takata airbag recall. Step four: If it does, schedule a free repair immediately—dealers provide replacement inflators at no cost. Step five: consider avoiding driving the vehicle until the fix is complete, especially if it’s listed under a “do not drive” advisory like those recently issued for some Toyota Corollas and RAV4s.
What You Can Do Today to Stay Safe
First, don’t ignore recall notices—even if the dealership seems busy or the waitlist is long. Next, keep track of follow-up reminders—some recalls span multiple years and phases. Third, share this info with friends or family who might own older cars—spreading awareness could save lives. Fourth, check your local or regional transport authority’s website for updates—some countries have stricter rules, like mandatory repairs. Finally, consider alternative transport if your fix is delayed—public transit, rideshares, or a loaner vehicle can be life-saving stop-gaps.
This Could Still Happen Unless You Act
The saga of Takata airbags is a harsh reminder: carmakers and suppliers don’t always put your safety first—profits and image often take priority. But you do have power. By proactively checking your vehicle’s status and getting the recall addressed, you’re not just avoiding a fine—you’re protecting your life. The longer these inflators stay undisclosed in older vehicles, the more likely another tragedy becomes.
At the end of the day, being informed about your vehicle’s history and whether or not it may have been affected by this recall is important. It is the largest recall in history and impacted hundreds of thousands of cars. While they made moves to remedy the problem, not every dangerous airbag has been removed. Your car could still be in jeopardy. So, run your VIN to ensure you’ve gotten the proper work done. If your car hasn’t, get it to a dealer and get it fixed fast. It could save your life.
Have you checked your VIN yet? Share in the comments if you found a Takata recall—your post could save someone’s life!
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The post The Car Brand That Hid Exploding Airbags for a Decade — And You’re Still Driving It appeared first on Everybody Loves Your Money.
