35 Million Vehicles Added to Takata Airbag Recall

35 million vehicles have been added to the existing Takata airbag recall due to potential dangers with shrapnel upon deployment. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there have not been any reported injuries caused by these specific airbags, but they are structurally similar to those linked to over 100 injuries and 10 deaths.

A review of three independent reports found that the ammonium nitrate propellant used in these airbags tends to degrade when exposed to temperature fluctuations and humidity – both common in New Hampshire and Vermont. A simple chemical additive could prevent this deterioration, but it was not added to these airbags nor to those that have already resulted in serious and fatal injury. Autonews.com reports that this move – a preemptive recall – is precedent setting and directly in line with the NHTSA’s new “proactive safety culture.”