Explosion in Brand New VW Prompts Takata Airbag Probe

Back in June, a Volkswagen (VW) SUV and a deer collided, triggering a side airbag to inflate too forcefully. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Justice Department are now investigating Takata Corp. of Japan in the face of mounting safety concerns.

The June 7^th crash included the left side airbag of a 2015 VW Tiguan inflating and an exploding metal canister. Earlier, Takata said that this issue only happened in older designed front and passenger airbags. The June 7^th collision is the first of its kind in a VW with a newer Takata airbag design as well as the first in a side airbag.

According to VW spokesman, Mark Gillies, there have been no other incidents of airbag inflators rupturing in VW vehicles. Gillies is unsure how long the company has used Takata airbags and how many VW vehicles have Takata airbags installed.

Takata has said that they are investigating the incident, but does not believe the situation is tied to the defective airbags that led to a record-breaking recall this year.

A chemical called ammonium nitrate is in Takata airbags and functions by causing a small explosion that quickly inflates the airbags. The problem is, when the chemical is exposed to airborne moisture, it can lose its stability and explode. This reaction causes the metal container that is supposed to contain the small explosion to blow into pieces.

Orders were sent by the NHTSA to VW and Takata that necessitate further information regarding the crash and airbag tests. Whether this will lead to an additional recall, only time will tell.

Schedule Your Free Consultation Today

If you or someone you know has been hurt as a result of a defective product, contact a personal injury lawyer from Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP for a free consultation by calling (817) 920-9000 or fill out an online contact form.