Defective Airbags

When an airbag works properly, it can prevent injuries and save lives. However, when there is an airbag defect, even a minor fender-bender can cause serious injuries.

The attorneys at Cellino & Barnes have represented many individuals who have been injured by defective products.

If you or a loved one has been injured and believe a defective airbag may have caused your injuries, call us now at 1-800-621-2020 or contact us by clicking on a Defective Airbag Attorney.

For information on Recent Airbag Recalls, please feel free to review the information below.

Recent Air Bag Recalls (Updated as of Nov. 10, 2006)

Toyota Scion
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") announced its recall of 29,542 Scion TC Toyotas (2005 and 2006 model years). The side and curtain airbags may deploy if the car door is closed too hard. In fact, the airbags are so sensitive that NHTSA has advised owners to use "minimal force to close the driver and passenger doors."

There have been 17 incidents in which the side and curtain airbags deployed as a result of a door being slammed too hard while the vehicle was running and up to 90 seconds after it was turned off.

Faulty sensors appear to be the cause of this defect. Scion dealers are replacing these sensors at no charge.

Toyota Tundra
Toyota is also recalling 156,555 Tundra’s (2003-2005 model years) as they do not comply with the child seat anchor safety regulation.

The recall requires the disabling of the front-seat passenger airbag cut-off switch. Although, disabling the switch will comply with an NHTSA order, some safety experts question the decision and believe there may be an increased risk of injury to children. Disabling the switch means the airbag will always deploy and the right front passenger seat will always be unsafe for a child.

DaimlerChrysler
The NHTSA has an ongoing investigation into more than 800,000 DaimlerChrysler vehicles for potentially defective airbag sensors. These sensors can delay or prevent the deployment of airbags in the event of an accident. The vehicles affected by the investigation include 805,000 (2005 and 2006 model-years) Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minivans.

DaimlerChrysler has also announced its recall of 145,000 light-duty Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks (2006 model year). The trucks' air bags and seatbelts are not compatible with some child seats.

Hyundai Elantra
A NHTSA investigation found that when a car seat is in the front passenger seat of a Hyundai Elantra, the computer system may confuse it for an adult passenger.

Based on this investigation, Hyundai is recalling 240,000 Elantra sedans (2004-2005 model years).

Hyundai reports this computer error can occur if an adult was in the passenger seat when the ignition was turned off and then a car seat was later installed. When the vehicle is then restarted, the computer may misinterpret the car seat for an adult passenger.

SAAB 900
Approximately 12,036 SAAB 900’s (1998 model year) have been recalled. Static electricity can build up within the passenger-side air bag module and create enough of a charge to cause the air bag to deploy. Most cases have happened when dusting or wiping the dashboard, starting the car, or closing the door.

Dealers will install a front passenger-side air bag module ground strap to fix the problem.

For additional information on airbag recalls, visit:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: www.nhtsa.dot.gov
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov
Consumer Affairs.com: www.consumeraffairs.com

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective airbag, call Cellino & Barnes now at 1-800-621-2020 or contact us.

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