Blumenthal, Markey Commend NHTSA for New Airbag Safety Recall
Senators call for clarity, faster action on other Takata airbag safety defects
Washington, D.C. (January 31, 2015) – Following an announcement today by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it would be recalling more than two million vehicles due to airbags that might deploy inadvertently because of a faulty control switch, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) thanked NHTSA for taking swift action and called for clarity and fast action on other Takata airbag safety defects. Some of the vehicles made by Toyota and Honda included in this recall also use the deadly Takata airbags that can deploy too forcefully, maiming or killing drivers and passengers.
Below is the statement of Senators Markey and Blumenthal:
“NHTSA's vigilant review of consumer complaints and automaker reports shows that the effectiveness of past safety recalls must be aggressively monitored, and we are gratified that NHTSA is taking action to remedy this particular defect. When information is used, manufacturers and automakers are held accountable, consumers are protected, and countless lives can be saved.
“We remain concerned that for the more than 12 million car owners who are driving vehicles with defective Takata airbags. There is a pressing need for strong action to ensure that the necessary parts are manufactured more quickly and that automakers are subject to enforceable, nationwide recalls for all the impacted vehicles.
“While NHTSA has today advised consumers not to disable their airbags while awaiting repairs, Toyota has advised consumers to do the exact opposite. We call on NHTSA to ensure that automakers provide car owners with consistent safety recommendations to avoid confusion.”
Yesterday, Senators Markey and Blumenthal, along with Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) wrote the head of NHTSA asking for an update on the status of the Takata airbag recall, especially the speed at which replacement parts are being made available for repairs.
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