Nearly 34 million vehicles — or about one in seven vehicles on American roads — are being recalled in the Takata airbag recall for possibly being defective. It’s the largest automotive recall in American history.
Takata, the largest supplier of airbags, admits that its airbags can explode violently when they deploy, sending shrapnel flying into the passenger compartment. Six deaths and more than 100 injuries have been linked to the defect.
Steps to check for Takata airbag recall
What should consumers do? There are four easy steps, according to the Consumer Federation of America:
1. Get your vehicles’s Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, from the outside of the dash on the driver’s side, or on the outer edge of the driver’s door. Your registration card and insurance card should also have the VIN.
2. Go to www.safercar.gov/vin and type in your VIN.
3. If your vehicle is part of the Takata airbag recall, contact any dealer of your vehicle immediately to schedule a replacement appointment. The repair is free.
4. Ask your dealer or vehicle manufacturer for a “loaner vehicle” while parts are being manufactured.
If your vehicle isn’t currently listed as being part of the Takata airbag recall, check back to see if it is added.
Typical consumer response rates for recalls is around 70 percent, according to the CFA. If consumers don’t respond to this recall, more than 10 million vehicles with this defect could be on the road.
Other ways to look for Takata airbag recall
There are other ways to check for a recall. The Safercar.gov site is run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA has its own section of its website to check for recalls and defects. Recalls.gov also lists recalls.
Drivers can also look technical service bulletins, or TSB, for their cars. Automakers use these to inform dealers about problems.
