Faulty Airbags Lead to Massive Japanese Auto Recall

by Christopher Freeburn | April 11, 2013 9:00 am

Auto Cars Transportation[1]Toyota (NYSE:TM[2]), Honda (NYSE:HMC), Mazda and Nissan (PINK:NSANY[3]) have recalled 3.4 million vehicles manufactured after 2000 that contain airbag systems from Takata Corp[4]. A problem with the propellant used to inflate front airbags could spark a fire if the airbags are deployed, Reuters noted.

Takata is the second largest worldwide producer of automotive safety equipment. Its airbag systems are also found in vehicles from manufacturers outside Japan, though the company has not identified those car makers yet. The defective airbags were produced at Takata’s Mexico production plant between 2000 and 2002.

Roughly 1.73 million vehicles made by Toyota are affected by the recall. About 1.14 million Honda vehicles are included in the recall, as well as 480,000 Nissan vehicles and 45,000 cars from Mazda. No injuries have been attributed to the defect.

Among the vehicles affected by the recall are:

Last month, Japanese manufacturer Subaru recalled 47,000 vehicles, including 2010-12 Subaru Legacy sedans, 2010-12 Subaru Outback wagons, the 2012 Subaru Impreza and the 2013 Subaru Crosstrek due to a defect that could permit engines to start on their own[5].

Also in March, Ford (NYSE:F[6]) recalled 230,000 minivans because of potential rust accumulation in rear wheel wells, which could cause seats to become loose[7].

Endnotes:

  1. [Image]: https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Auto-Cars-Transportation.jpg
  2. TM: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=TM
  3. NSANY: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=NSANY
  4. contain airbag systems from Takata Corp: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/us-toyota-recall-idUSBRE93A04D20130411
  5. due to a defect that could permit engines to start on their own: https://investorplace.com/2013/03/subaru-recalls-47k-cars-over-self-starting-risk/
  6. F: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=F
  7. could cause seats to become loose: https://investorplace.com/2013/03/ford-recalls-230000-minivans-for-rust-problem/

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2013/04/faulty-airbags-lead-to-massive-japanese-auto-recall/