NHTSA reports 28th Takata airbag inflator fatality since 2009

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Tuesday that it has confirmed the 28th death in the United States caused by a defective 2009 Takata airbag inflator.

The problem prompted the largest-ever recall in US history. Over the past decade, more than 100 million vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators have been recalled worldwide, including 67 million in the United States.

The agency said the confirmation was based on new information provided by Honda Motor 7267.T. The fatality involved a Honda vehicle and occurred in 2018 in Alabama, resulting in fatal injuries to the driver.

NHTSA said that even “minor crashes can cause Takata airbags to explode, which can kill or cause life-changing, frightening injuries.”

Since 2009, hundreds of injuries have been reported in vehicles from various automakers due to Takata airbag inflators, which can explode, unleashing metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks killing or injuring drivers or other vehicle occupants.

HOnda said Tuesday it has now confirmed 20 deaths in the US in Honda and Acura vehicles. The company said it has replaced or accounted for more than 95 percent of the recalled Takata inflators, but “remains committed to replacing or accounting for all that remain.”

Airbag problems have been blamed on the propellant, which can break down after long-term exposure to high temperature fluctuations and humidity.

A number of automakers have urged owners of older vehicles this year to stop driving them until they replace Takata airbag inflators.

Related: Ford and Mazda advise against driving certain models due to Takata airbag problems | Chrysler will recall about 286,000 vehicles due to the airbag inflation problem

In May, Nissan warned owners of nearly 84,000 older vehicles not drive certain older vehicles recalled in 2020 but not fixed.

Father Chrysler Stellantis issued warnings last year owners of 29,000 2003 Dodge Ram pickups to stop driving immediately pending repairs after one person was killed after a Takata airbag inflator exploded.

Toyota in January urged the owners of 50,000 older Corolla and RAV4 vehicles to replace Takata inflators.