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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy are tens of thousands of Americans still driving around with explosive devices in their cars?
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Ten years after the biggest safety recall in U.S. history began, Honda says there are more than 60,000 vehicles on the nations 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 drivers 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.
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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
rownesheck
(2,343 posts)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)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)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)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...
PoliticAverse
(26,366 posts)Rhiannon12866
(203,006 posts)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)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)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)I barely finished my second game of online scrabble.
Whiskeytide
(4,459 posts)... take you to work or home and then come back and pick you up when your car is ready.
Deb
(3,742 posts)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)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)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)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)will try harder now that the snow has stopped...
my lancer not really good in snow
Codeine
(25,586 posts)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.
dembotoz
(16,739 posts)Codeine
(25,586 posts)I thought it was just Hondas for some reason. Im glad you mentioned it!
dembotoz
(16,739 posts)Enjoy your lancer
rurallib
(62,346 posts)been waiting for months for the letter............
Trailrider1951
(3,409 posts)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)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...
UTUSN
(70,497 posts)discntnt_irny_srcsm
(18,470 posts)And then refer it to all their friends and their friends friends... thanks for this.
Grammy23
(5,808 posts)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 dont get it.
Rhiannon12866
(203,006 posts)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)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. 😕
Initech
(99,915 posts)A HERETIC I AM
(24,320 posts)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)i'm guessing that got you motivated and it's taken care of.
A HERETIC I AM
(24,320 posts)I took it in as soon as I got home to Florida
MustLoveBeagles
(11,563 posts)We have a Hyundai Santa Fe around 4 years old.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)Look up by your VIN https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/
MustLoveBeagles
(11,563 posts)Rhiannon12866
(203,006 posts)It's a serious enough issue that everyone needs to double check to make sure, especially if they bought a pre-owned car.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,563 posts)Liberty Belle
(9,528 posts)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).