Airbag Defect Leads to Recall

Detroit, MIAn airbag defect has reportedly led to a recall of certain Honda vehicles. The recall, which affects approximately 63,000 vehicles, has so far not been linked to any airbag injuries. This is the latest in a string of issues with airbag failures, some of which have resulted in lawsuits.

According to Reuters (8/28/14), Honda will recall around 63,000 vehicles following reports of a defect in airbags made by Takata Corp. Included in the recall are certain CR-V, Civic, Brio and Amaze vehicles from years 2012-2015. So far, no vehicles in North America are being recalled.

At issue is an inflator that can reportedly deploy with too much force, sending metal fragments into the vehicle and potentially harming vehicle occupants.

A similar recall was reportedly announced by General Motors in North America. In that case, approximately 33,000 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles were recalled with the same airbag defect.

Lawsuits have been filed against carmakers linked to defective airbags. The Times-Tribune (8/22/14) reports on a jury award of almost $6 million to a man whose airbag failed to deploy during a 2010 accident. The accident left John Cancelleri partially paralyzed. He and his wife filed a lawsuit against Ford Motor Co., and a jury found that a design defect in the vehicle’s airbag system caused the Cancelleri’s injuries.

Included in the award was $140,707 for past medical expenses, $1.3 million for future medical expenses, and approximately $3 million for past and future pain and suffering.

Lawsuits have been filed against GM for defects in its ignition that could result in a loss of power to the power steering, power brakes and airbag, resulting in serious injuries to vehicle occupants. One such lawsuit had been settled for $5 million, but the family involved in the lawsuit has asked to have their suit reinstated.

NBC News (8/11/14) reports that Ken and Beth Melton made the request after reportedly finding evidence that GM concealed evidence about a faulty ignition switch. USA Today (5/12/14) writes that lawyers for the Meltons said they can refile the case because GM CEO Mary Barra gave congressional testimony that a GM engineer may have lied during deposition for the lawsuit. Lawyers noted that the Meltons would not have settled if they had known about the perjury and concealed evidence.

Brooke Melton died in 2010 when the ignition of her Chevy Cobalt shifted from the run position to the accessory/off position, stopping the engine and shutting off the car’s power steering. According to court documents, Brooke’s airbags did not deploy in the accident.

GM moved to have the lawsuit dismissed but a court rejected GM’s motion.