Blumenthal, Markey Call On Department Of Justice To Open Criminal Investigation Of Takata

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) today called on the U.S. Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation of Takata after reports surfaced that in 2004, the Japanese company destroyed airbags and data from test results that had raised red flags for engineers.

“Reports that Takata concealed and destroyed test results revealing fatal air bag defects, along with other evidence that the company was aware of these deadly problems, clearly require a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice,” said Blumenthal and Markey. “If the reports are true, the company must be held accountable for the horrific deaths and injuries that its wrongdoing caused. These allegations are credible and shocking -- plainly warranting a prompt and aggressive criminal probe.”

Both members of the Senate Commerce Committee, Sens. Blumenthal and Markey last month called on Transportation Sec. Anthony Foxx to urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to provide clearer guidance to drivers with potentially-defective Takata airbags, and to urge NHTSA to issue immediately a nationwide recall on all affected cars, regardless of where the vehicle is registered.