Airbag defects, many originating at manufacturing facilities in Japan, have wreaked havoc on the global automobile industry. The latest manufacturer to recall its vehicles due to these faulty airbags is Subaru.
The carmaker has recalled at least five models due to the defective airbags. The airbag inflators, like in many other makes and models of cars, could potentially injure passengers in the cars by propelling shards of metal and other fragments within the vehicles.
Nissan, another Japanese automobile manufacturer, recently added another 226,000 cars to its own recall list, as a recent Tech Times article reported in late July. That recall included 2002 to 2004 Infinitis, Maximas, Pathfinders and Sentras.
So far, Japanese, European and American car makers have all faced mass recalls in several of their makes and models for the defective airbags and other issues. GM is facing recalls of more than 700,000 of its vehicles, including those with ignition switch and other problems.
The Subaru recall involves several thousand 2003-2005 Baja, Legacy and Outback models as well as 2004-2005 Imprezas and the 2005 Saab 9-2X, according to at least one report. However, the recall (so far anyway) only applies to vehicles in certain states and territories that received these particular models with airbags manufactured, prepared and installed by Takata Corp. in Japan. Those states and territories include Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The recall applies to at least 5,000 Subaru cars, according to a separate report on the matter. United States safety watchdogs and Subaru both made the announcement on Tuesday, according to the report. A spokesperson for Subaru in the U.S. said that the company is not aware of any injuries or deaths as a result of the faulty airbags, but at this point, it is unlikely that any car maker wants to take chances. GM has faced at least one U.S. senate hearing over its handling of vehicle safety and quality testing measures, as well as a broad amount of public criticism over the issue. Subaru is reportely recalling the vehicles to take the utmost precaution.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked the carmaker to inspect vehicles in the region with the Takata airbags due to moist and humid conditions that may affect them. Engineers will also analyse airbags and airbags in the select vehicles will be replaced.The NHTSA began this effort in June.
Owners will be notified at a later time, according to another report. The airbags in question are passenger side. Subaru is a subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries.
