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Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 04:53 AM Apr 2018

Why are tens of thousands of Americans still driving around with explosive devices in their cars?

<snip>

Ten years after the biggest safety recall in U.S. history began, Honda says there are more than 60,000 vehicles on the nation’s roads equipped with what experts have called a “ticking time bomb” — defective air bags like the one that killed Brangman. The air bags, which sit about a foot from a driver’s chest, have a 50-50 chance of exploding in a fender bender.

They are the most deadly air bags remaining in the recall involving more than 37 million vehicles built by 19 automakers. At least 22 people worldwide have been killed and hundreds more permanently disfigured when the air bags that deployed to protect them instead exploded and sprayed shrapnel.

The worst among the bad bags are known as Alphas, driver-side air bags installed in Hondas that have up to a 50 percent chance they will explode on impact. The 62,307 people still driving with them, many in older-model cars that may have changed hands several times, either have ignored the recall warnings or never received them, Honda said.

With the number of deaths and disfigurements continuing to climb — the last fatality was in January — automakers and federal regulators have rewritten the rule book in their outreach efforts, including deploying teams to knock on doors of Honda owners who have not responded to recall notices.

<snip>

More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/why-are-tens-of-thousands-of-americans-still-driving-around-with-explosive-devices-in-their-cars/2018/04/22/78b844d8-343e-11e8-8abc-22a366b72f2d_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ca07627bab8b

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Why are tens of thousands of Americans still driving around with explosive devices in their cars? (Original Post) Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 OP
Ugh. rownesheck Apr 2018 #1
I'm so glad that you read this! Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #2
fine. rownesheck Apr 2018 #3
Well, do you want to take a chance? Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #5
Congratulations, you got one. PoliticAverse Apr 2018 #4
Thanks! Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #6
Lots of automakers have the problem. Blue_true Apr 2018 #23
I had my Toyota repaired Sherman A1 Apr 2018 #9
I made an appointment with the Jeep dealer and they replaced them in under an hour. FSogol Apr 2018 #15
Many dealers have a free shuttle that will ... Whiskeytide Apr 2018 #35
We couldn't believe what Honda did to help us with a fix. Deb Apr 2018 #7
Thanks so much for the encouraging post! Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #8
Thank you keepleft101 Apr 2018 #10
Oh good! I was hoping this would remind some DUers who might be affected Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #11
called my mitsubishi dealer, just a matter of bringing it in dembotoz Apr 2018 #12
Wait, this is an issue with Lancers? Codeine Apr 2018 #19
Got a notice in the mail dembotoz Apr 2018 #20
Yeah, I looked it up. Codeine Apr 2018 #25
Hell, happy to help... dembotoz Apr 2018 #30
getting mine done today rurallib Apr 2018 #13
Thank you so much for posting this! Trailrider1951 Apr 2018 #14
Thank you so much for including the link! Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #17
K&R UTUSN Apr 2018 #16
Everyone needs to read this discntnt_irny_srcsm Apr 2018 #18
My husbands sister drives a car involved in the recall. (Not a Honda but still has a recalled Grammy23 Apr 2018 #21
Maybe you should show her this article Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #31
Believe me, my husband has told her in no uncertain terms the dangers. Grammy23 Apr 2018 #36
Conservative deregulation policies strike again! Initech Apr 2018 #22
2 years ago I stayed at a hotel next to a Takata facility in Pontiac A HERETIC I AM Apr 2018 #24
wow. that must have been a bit chilling to hear him say that orleans Apr 2018 #33
It was and it did A HERETIC I AM Apr 2018 #34
Is this just for Honda's? MustLoveBeagles Apr 2018 #26
Look up your vehicle tammywammy Apr 2018 #27
Thank you tammywammy MustLoveBeagles Apr 2018 #28
No, 19 automakers installed these airbags Rhiannon12866 Apr 2018 #32
We bought it new but it never hurts to check anyway MustLoveBeagles Apr 2018 #37
I wish they would let you opt out of airbags. Liberty Belle Apr 2018 #29

rownesheck

(2,343 posts)
1. Ugh.
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 05:10 AM
Apr 2018

I'm one of these people. I haven't taken mine in because I'm worried I'll end up sitting at a damn dealership all day. On my days off work, I'm just so relieved to be home that i don't think about it. Plus, I'll probably have to make an appointment. Annoying! Seriously, and i know how stupid this sounds, but it's almost like which is worse: having to do all that annoying stuff i just mentioned, or having my face sheared off by flying metal? I'm not sure on this one. Hell, i may try this Thursday (if I'm still alive).

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
2. I'm so glad that you read this!
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 05:16 AM
Apr 2018

When I read this, it scared the hell out of me, so I had to post it - and I don't even have a Honda. But it sounds like lots of folks do and this sounds really deadly. And it also sounds like Honda is desperate to reach those who haven't responded yet. Please make that appointment!

rownesheck

(2,343 posts)
3. fine.
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 05:29 AM
Apr 2018

that hugging emoji got me. I'll make the appointment and I'll let you know how it went. I honestly didn't know it has a 50/50 chance of exploding. I thought maybe a 10 % chance.

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
5. Well, do you want to take a chance?
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 05:47 AM
Apr 2018

You may be a careful driver, but you never know about anyone else on the road. The girl in the article would have walked away from her accident if it wasn't for that lethal airbag. I'm not trying to spread panic, but I've read about this before and it sounded like Honda is getting desperate - so I took it seriously. I'm grateful that you are too. Let me know how it goes...

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
6. Thanks!
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 05:49 AM
Apr 2018

I was on the fence about posting this, I usually go for the humorous posts, but I figured it wouldn't hurt - and maybe someone who was affected would read it.

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
23. Lots of automakers have the problem.
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 09:52 PM
Apr 2018

Honda has been the most agressive about getting all their cars fixed. Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, GM all have the problem with some of their models.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
9. I had my Toyota repaired
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 06:41 AM
Apr 2018

In about 2 hours, the dealer had comfortable chairs, free coffee, cookies, tv and WiFi. I was thinking of moving in and living there.

Seriously get this recall completed even if it takes all day, the time involved is much less than a visit to a hospital of worse.

FSogol

(45,360 posts)
15. I made an appointment with the Jeep dealer and they replaced them in under an hour.
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 10:05 AM
Apr 2018

I barely finished my second game of online scrabble.

Whiskeytide

(4,459 posts)
35. Many dealers have a free shuttle that will ...
Wed Apr 25, 2018, 08:46 AM
Apr 2018

... take you to work or home and then come back and pick you up when your car is ready.

Deb

(3,742 posts)
7. We couldn't believe what Honda did to help us with a fix.
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 06:33 AM
Apr 2018

My son is stationed in Japan. His car required an inspection, tags and a battery charge before we could take it in to the dealer.

I was worried Honda would run out of parts before he was stateside. The recall notice contained a Honda phone number and I

explained our situation. Honda not only made all the arrangements but paid for two-way towing of the car to a local dealer.

Call them if you need assistance getting your car fix. They were VERY concerned that "a passenger could be injured or killed".

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
8. Thanks so much for the encouraging post!
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 06:40 AM
Apr 2018

And it's not my issue, I have a Pontiac and a Chevy, I just posted the article. But rownesheck who also posted on this thread has been putting this off for fear of being stuck all day at the dealership. So please pass on your positive experience! From this article and others I've read, it sounded like Honda is very anxious to do everything they can to get this resolved!

 

keepleft101

(82 posts)
10. Thank you
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 06:46 AM
Apr 2018

My son is driving my old car Honda Accord. I need to see if this is one of the cars for the recall.

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
11. Oh good! I was hoping this would remind some DUers who might be affected
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 07:03 AM
Apr 2018

According to the article, Honda has gone out of their way to contact anyone affected - but it should also be easy to find out online. My GM car (if you remember, GM had ignition issues) also got recalled and they let me know by mail. I think my car was one of the last three to be recalled, I kept thinking I'd dodged that bullet.

dembotoz

(16,739 posts)
12. called my mitsubishi dealer, just a matter of bringing it in
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 07:35 AM
Apr 2018

will try harder now that the snow has stopped...
my lancer not really good in snow

 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
19. Wait, this is an issue with Lancers?
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 07:34 PM
Apr 2018

I had no idea.

On edit; Whew! My car is one year older than the oldest affected. I guess driving a beater is sometimes a good thing.

 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
25. Yeah, I looked it up.
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 10:23 PM
Apr 2018

I thought it was just Hondas for some reason. I’m glad you mentioned it!

Trailrider1951

(3,409 posts)
14. Thank you so much for posting this!
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 10:03 AM
Apr 2018

I bought a used 2012 Toyota Sienna Minivan in 2016 and I just found out that it is included in the recall due to the Takata airbag!
You can find out if your car is included in this recall by putting in the VIN number here:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

I'm going to schedule the replacement TODAY! Thanks again!

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
17. Thank you so much for including the link!
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 04:53 PM
Apr 2018

I knew that Hondas weren't the only cars affected! Thanks for helping to get the word out there - this is scary stuff! Hope they get this done for you right away...

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,470 posts)
18. Everyone needs to read this
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 06:16 PM
Apr 2018

And then refer it to all their friends and their friends friends... thanks for this.

Grammy23

(5,808 posts)
21. My husbands sister drives a car involved in the recall. (Not a Honda but still has a recalled
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 09:42 PM
Apr 2018

Airbag.) He has told her repeatedly to get it fixed. He even graphically explained to her the danger but it has still not been fixed. She does not work outside of the home so there is no reason for her to put it off. Her husband knows it needs the repair, too. My husband mentions it every so often and she just sheepishly says she has not taken it in. He even told her there would be no charge, just in case she was thinking it would cost a lot. Still no action. I have no idea what it will take for them to get this car fixed. Normally, they pay attention to my husband since he is a retired vehicle mechanic with 40 some odd years of experience. I just don’t get it.

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
31. Maybe you should show her this article
Wed Apr 25, 2018, 02:40 AM
Apr 2018

And does anyone else drive the car? She may take it more seriously if she realizes it could jeopardize the life of another family member. From what I've read, this recall is viewed as a top priority - and it's not just limited to Hondas, any car with these airbags could be a serious danger to any driver or passenger.

Grammy23

(5,808 posts)
36. Believe me, my husband has told her in no uncertain terms the dangers.
Wed Apr 25, 2018, 09:51 AM
Apr 2018

He knows too well what could happen and has tried numerous times to urge them to get it fixed. Denial is not just a river in Egypt, I guess. 😕

A HERETIC I AM

(24,320 posts)
24. 2 years ago I stayed at a hotel next to a Takata facility in Pontiac
Tue Apr 24, 2018, 10:08 PM
Apr 2018

That had numerous test dashboards out back, all with detonated airbags.

One day while passing behind the building walking to a nearby restaurant there was an engineer out back who I stopped to chat with.

I mentioned I had a Honda Accord that had gotten a recall notice

He looked me square in the eye and as serious as a heart attack, simply said;

“Take it in NOW”

orleans

(33,987 posts)
33. wow. that must have been a bit chilling to hear him say that
Wed Apr 25, 2018, 03:45 AM
Apr 2018

i'm guessing that got you motivated and it's taken care of.

Rhiannon12866

(203,006 posts)
32. No, 19 automakers installed these airbags
Wed Apr 25, 2018, 02:44 AM
Apr 2018

It's a serious enough issue that everyone needs to double check to make sure, especially if they bought a pre-owned car.

Liberty Belle

(9,528 posts)
29. I wish they would let you opt out of airbags.
Wed Apr 25, 2018, 01:17 AM
Apr 2018

I had a rib broken by one. I am terrified of them, and when my car got totaled and I had to buy another one, I learned the newer cars have so many more airbags that you'd be surrounded by them. I got an older car to avoid that, and did check to be sure it's not among those recalled (nor was the one that broke my rib).

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