10M more vehicles added to the biggest auto recall in history

January 10, 2020

By Kim Komando

Cars are essential tools for daily life, but they can also be deadly weapons in the wrong hands. That’s why you have to jump through so many hoops to be allowed to drive, and why insurance is a must for any driver, regardless of experience.

But auto accidents and tragedies aren’t only caused by bad drivers. Defective or faulty car parts can be extremely dangerous, and can put the lives of everyone around the vehicle in harm’s way. Tap or click here to see how BMW recalled over 250,000 cars for backup camera issues.

And now, just when you thought the issue couldn’t get any worse, embattled airbag maker Takata is adding 10 million more cars from 14 different automakers to its recall list. It’s become the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, and if you’re driving with one of these bags you might be in serious danger.

10 million more Takata airbags recalled for 14 different auto manufacturers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Takata corporation have announced an additional recall on 10 million more Takata airbags. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because the company has been involved in several auto recalls before — including a previous recall of faulty airbags.

Tap or click here to learn more about the last Takata airbag recall.

The latest announcement brings the total airbag inflators recalled to approximately 70 million in the U.S. alone. Vehicles made by these automakers have been added to the list:

• Daimler Vans
• Fiat Chrysler
• Ferrari
• Ford
• General Motors
• Mazda
• Nissan
• Subaru
• Volkswagen

Model years vary, but to help consumers find out if their car is under recall, the NHTSA has put together a website where you can look up your VIN. Tap or click here to visit the website and look up your VIN for recalls.

These airbags contain a faulty inflating mechanism that can potentially explode when deployed. This creates deadly shrapnel that can pierce through the airbag and severely injure drivers. Some analysts even liken the defect to a “grenade built into your steering wheel.”

The recall follows the tragic death of a driver and numerous injuries related to the defect. The NHTSA is encouraging affected owners to take their car to a dealership immediately and have the airbag replaced.

Auto manufacturers and dealerships have been informed that all recall-related repairs are to be performed at no charge, but priority may be given to vehicles with a higher risk of airbag failure.

Is my car affected? What can I do?

Another recentTakata recall affects cars manufactured by BMW, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Daimler Vans, Fiat Chrysler, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Volkswagen and Audi.

If your airbag is recalled, look for your nearest dealership and set an appointment to drop your vehicle off. The repairs will be at no cost to you, but you may need to verify if your car qualifies.

Priority might be an issue while waiting for repairs. More than one million cars are affected and dealerships are likely to be busy. Some cars have more dangerous airbags than others under the recall.

Ford and Mazda are telling some owners of MY 2006 Rangers and B-Series trucks to cease driving the vehicles immediately, and ask the dealerships handling the repairs to provide them with loaner cars and towing services.

In other recall news …

Takata isn’t the only company feeling the recall heat. Ford is recalling more than 200,000 F-series pickup tricks for an issue with the tailgate. On affected trucks, the tailgates may open without warning, which can cause drivers to lose cargo and people behind the drivers to potentially lose their lives.

Just like with the Takata airbags, these services will be provided free of charge at Ford dealerships. The recall affects 231,664 F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty pickups made betwen 2017-2019. Another 29,953 are being recalled in Canada.

Ford’s competitor, GM, is also experiencing more recalls of its own. 4.7 trucks have been recalled due to dangerous brake failures. Tap or click here to learn more.

If your car is affected by either of these recalls, waiting is not the answer. Call your dealership and set an appointment as soon as possible. We can’t always prevent accidents, but recalls like this give us the power to help. Not only will you be safer in your car, the road will be safer for drivers around you. Buckle up!