Nearly One-In-10 Takata Airbag Ruptures Results In Death

Nearly one-in-10 driver’s side Takata airbag ruptures results in a death, federal regulators revealed during a meeting to discuss the massive recall of shrapnel-shooting devices. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provided that figure and others during the public discussion on how to best handle the safety defect that has so far resulted in the recall of nearly 19 million vehicles in the U.S., the Associated Press reports.

In all, regulators say that eight deaths and 98 injuries have been linked to the deadly defect that affects 11 automakers.

Injuries reported after airbag ruptures have included broken teeth, cuts on the neck, and loss of eyesight and hearing, among other things.

While regulators, carmakers, and Takata continue to try to pinpoint the cause for the ruptures, replacement parts have begun to be produced at a higher rate.

Still, only 22.5% of the 19.2 million recalled vehicles in the U.S. have been fixed so far. That figure is up drastically from Sept. 1 when just 4.4% of vehicles had been repaired.

In addition to offering updates on repairs and injuries/deaths, NHTSA said it would have a plan in place for management of the recall by Thanksgiving.

U.S.: 8 deaths, 98 injuries from exploding air bags [The Associated Press]

by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist