You may have recently received a notice or checked online and learned your vehicle is under recall. Below, we discuss what you need to do if your vehicle is part of the airbag recall.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a defective airbag, call Newsome Melton to speak with a defective airbags lawyer about your options: 888-221-5316.
Do Not Drive a Vehicle on the Recall List
If you discover your car has been affected by the Takata airbag recall, the first thing you should do is stop driving it unless you are heading straight to the dealership for your repair appointment. No one likes scare tactics, but the truth of the matter is that your car is not safe to drive with a recalled Takata airbag. One of these defective airbags could explode, sending shrapnel into the cabin of your vehicle and injure or kill you or a passenger.
Did you get a notice that your vehicle has been recalled for a defective Takata airbag?
If you have any of the vehicles on the following list, the automaker will tow the vehicle to the nearest dealership for free or it might repair your airbag right in your driveway:
- 2006 Ford Rangers
- 2006 Mazda B-Series trucks
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2002-2003 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2003 Honda Pilot
Schedule Your Repair Appointment Immediately
If you own a recalled vehicle not listed above, call your local dealership for a repair appointment as soon as you learn your car is part of the recall. The dealership will replace your airbag for free as soon as it can. However, because of the scope of the recall, not all dealerships have parts available. You may need to use a rental car for the time being.
Note: Some automakers will give you a rental car free of charge until it can replace your defective airbag. According to The New York Times, you can get a loaner from Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and GM (GM and Nissan on a case-by-case basis). If you have a vehicle by another automaker, such as Ford or Mercedes-Benz, you can request a loaner car.
You Do Not Have to Stick with the Major Dealerships
Renting a car for months on end is not feasible for all consumers. If you cannot get your airbag replaced in a timely manner, do not think you have to stick with the dealership where you bought it or the one recommended in the recall letter. Several of our clients have reported wait times of three months or longer to get their cars fixed at the dealership.
Instead of waiting around for your local dealer to get the parts or manpower necessary for your repair, call around to independent repair facilities and locally owned dealerships and see if they can help you out. These places can sometimes get their hands on the parts they need to fix your defective airbag and can get your car safely back on the road in a much shorter time than the major dealerships.
What Can I Do If Need to Drive?
We understand that life does not stop just because you cannot drive your vehicle. If you cannot get the repairs done quickly enough or if renting a car is not an option, you can:
- Carpool
- Take public transportation
- Take an Uber or Lyft
If you need to drive your children to school, see if another parent in the neighborhood would be willing to take them. If you must drive your car, make sure all passengers sit in the back seat.
Under no circumstances should you disable the airbag in your car in an attempt to safely commute to work. If you are involved in an accident, you will have little to no protection against injury.
Call 888-221-5316 to Speak to a Product Liability Lawyer at Newsome Melton
The product liability attorneys at Newsome Melton handle product liability questions and are available to answer any questions you have about auto recalls. To discuss your case with a member of the Newsome Melton team, call us today to schedule a free consultation: 888-221-5316.