A Florida man lost his life due to a Takata airbag inflator while he was working on his stationary 2001 Honda Accord, as reported by AP.
The victim was reportedly using a hammer to make repairs inside the car when the airbag was triggered, although the exact cause of the activation remains unclear. This tragic incident took place in June 2016, but Honda stated that it was only recently made aware of it, according to AP. The automaker noted that the ignition key was in the “on” position, which could have activated the airbag if a collision occurred.
Honda has indicated that police documentation shows metal fragments were expelled from the airbag, marking the 12th death in the U.S. linked to this defective airbag, and the 17th globally. The company has not disclosed the identity of the victim from Hialeah, Florida.
Takata has faced significant criticism due to its unreliable airbag inflators, which have been shown to release dangerous and potentially deadly debris at high velocities.
Legal action has been taken against Takata, and over half of the 69 million vehicles affected remain unrepaired in the United States, while more than 100 million have been recalled worldwide. In February, the company agreed to a $1 billion settlement.
In June, Takata filed for bankruptcy protection to ensure the continuation of replacement and repair services for the recalled airbags. The company has since exited the airbag inflator market and is currently undergoing a buyout by Key Safety Systems, a Detroit-based firm owned by Chinese interests.
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