According to Honda, more than 60,000 vehicles still contain the most dangerous “alpha” inflators; Consumers with these inflators in their vehicle face a one in two chance of experiencing a life-threatening explosion any time the airbag deploys 

In 2014, after reports of defective Takata Corp. airbags, Klobuchar repeatedly called on Takata Corp. to immediately issue a nationwide recall and to ensure all vehicles with defective components were removed from the road

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) pressed Honda Vice President Rick Schostek about the status of recalled vehicles in Minnesota and across the U.S. and what steps they are taking to address this problem as quickly as possible. According to Honda, more than 60,000 vehicles still contain the most dangerous “alpha” inflators. Given the significant public safety threat caused by these defective parts, the removal of all alpha inflators from America’s roads must be an immediate priority.

“Takata airbag inflators known as ‘alphas’ installed in certain 2001, 2002 and 2003 Honda and Acura models have been shown to pose a 50 percent risk of rupture when the airbags deploy. According to Honda, more than 60,000 vehicles still contain alpha inflators,” Klobuchar wrote. “Given the significant public safety threat caused by these defective parts, the removal of all alpha inflators from America’s roads must be an immediate priority.”

Klobuchar has been a leader in the U.S. Senate in protecting consumers and holding those responsible for wrongdoing accountable. After reports of defective Takata Corp. airbags in 2014, Klobuchar repeatedly called on Takata to issue a nationwide recall and to ensure all vehicles with defective components were removed from the road. After her calls for action, Takata expanded regional recalls of Takata passenger-side inflators to nationwide recalls involving 16 million vehicles. It also expanded the nationwide recall of driver-side inflators to more than 17 million vehicles.

In February, Takata Corp. reached a $650 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice for criminal misconduct related to the handling of its defective air bags. As part of the settlement, Takata paid a $25 million criminal penalty and $850 million in restitution to automakers. The company also established a $125 million compensation fund for motorists who were harmed by the airbags.

Shashi Chopra from North Oaks, Minnesota, was a passenger in a 2002 BMW that crashed, deploying a Takata air bag. The crash, which left Chopra permanently blind, occurred in March 2013, yet the family was not informed about the defect until September 2014 as part of an expanded recall from 2013. In November 2014, Chopra spoke publicly about the incident for the first time at an event with Klobuchar at which they both called for action to get dangerous Takata air bags off the road.

The full text of the letter can be found below:

Dear Mr. Schostek,

Defective Takata airbag inflators in certain Honda vehicles continue to pose a significant safety risk to drivers. I write to inquire about the status of recalled vehicles in Minnesota and across the U.S. and what steps are being taken to address this problem as quickly as possible.

While all defective Takata airbag inflators are dangerous, some inflators malfunction and cause injury or death at higher rates than others. Takata airbag inflators known as “alphas” installed in certain 2001, 2002 and 2003 Honda and Acura models have been shown to pose a 50 percent risk of rupture when the airbags deploy. To be clear, consumers with these inflators in their vehicle face a one in two chance of experiencing a life-threatening explosion any time the airbag deploys. According to Honda, more than 60,000 vehicles still contain alpha inflators. Given the significant public safety threat caused by these defective parts, the removal of all alpha inflators from America’s roads must be an immediate priority.

It is important that Honda fully understands the scope of the problem and the immediacy of the need to identify the remaining 60,000 vehicles. To that end, I ask that you respond to the following questions:

• Does Honda have the necessary information to be able to determine when 100 percent of the remaining alpha inflators in its vehicles have been replaced?

• What percentage of these vehicles remain in Minnesota?

• Based on your current progress, do you have a sense of when Honda will achieve its goal of handling all remaining alpha inflators?

• In addition to Honda’s door-to-door campaign, what is being done to contact owners of used vehicles?

I look forward to your timely response to these questions. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely, 

###