TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL - THE LATEST INFO

[Larz]

As we all are aware, some of us still driving M35/M45 models might have a defective airbag. This has lead to concerns, misinformation, and varying degrees of reliability of sources who claim to have the best info on this issue. I felt it was a good idea to do some actual research and weed out unsubstantiated sources to compile the most accurate information available. We each need to make a decision regarding how to proceed. Having accurate information is critical. The most powerful consumer is an informed consumer.
What follows is the result of my research.

First, this release from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
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Vehicles made by 14 different automakers have been recalled to replace frontal airbags on the driver’s side or passenger’s side, or both in what NHTSA has called "the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history." The airbags, made by major parts supplier Takata, were mostly installed in cars from model year 2002 through 2015. Some of those airbags could deploy explosively, injuring or even killing car occupants.

At the heart of the problem is the airbag’s inflation cartridge, a metal cartridge loaded with ammonium nitrate propellant wafers, which in some cases has ignited with explosive force. If this housing ruptures in a crash, metal shards from the airbag system can be sprayed throughout the passenger cabin — a potentially disastrous outcome from a supposedly life-saving device.

NHTSA has determined the root cause of the problem: airbags that use ammonium nitrate-based propellant without a chemical drying agent. As postulated early on, environmental moisture, high temperatures, and age as associated with the defect that can improperly inflate the airbags and even send shrapnel into the occupant. To date, there have been 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries due to this problem in the US.
- NHTSA release May 2016

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Some details we all need to know:
1) Even a minor fender bender can cause these airbags to activate, then rupture, spraying metal shrapnel into drivers and passengers.
2) 1 out of every 5 cars in the US has a Takata airbag system.
3) It is estimated that it may take until 2019 for every vehicle to be repaired.

Below are reported numbers (as of July 2016) for major car makers affected. I was unable to find an actual number for Infiniti specifically, only an 'estimate' from a non-infiniti source.

Total estimated recalls by brand:

Infniti 52,000 vehicles (not confirmed by Infiniti)
Model Year 2001 Infiniti I30
Model Year 2002-2003 Infiniti I35
Model Year 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
Model Year 2003 Infiniti FX35/FX45
Model Year 2006-2010 M35 and M45

BMW 1.9 million
Chrysler / Dodge/Ram 5.6 million
Ferrari 2,800
Ford / Lincoln Mercury 2.8 million
Honda 10.7 million
Jaguar 20,000
Land Rover 34,000
Mazda 750,000
Mercedes 1.1 million
Toyota / Lexus 4.7 million
Volkswagen 680,000
Audi 390,000
GM various brands 1.9 million

Infiniti is focusing on the High Absolute Humidity (HAH) Region: Florida is the #1 state in the HAH region, but it includes the following (as of July 27, 2016):
Alabama
American Samoa
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Louisiana
Mississippi
Puerto Rico
Saipan
Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands

Aboiut Takata:
Rueters reported in June 2016 that Shigehisha Takata, The long standing CEO will resign after a new management team is in place. Takata Corporation is the 5th largest global provider of seat belts and airbags.
Automakers have shouldered recall expenses so far on Takata's behalf, given its limited financial leeway: Takata had $488 million in cash and deposits and equity capital of 121.8 billion yen as of the end of March. But individual car makers expenses for replacement airbag systems could reach to more than 500 billion yen - 5 times the Takata resources.
Therefore, the company is looking to partner with new financial suitors to help prevent an actual court-led bankruptcy. Many firms such as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR-New York) have applied as bail-out sponsors which would allow Takata to continue producing parts while submerged in debt. I remember KKR as Jerome Kohlberg, Henry Kravis, and George Roberts - a private equity firm specializing in leveraged buy-outs such as RJR Nabisco in 1989 which was the largest buy-out in history.

Will all replacement systems come from Takata?
Some will, but not all according to this report from Forbes:
Giant Sweden-based auto supplier Autoliv (NYSE:ALV) announced a major expansion of its airbag-inflator production capacity early last year in order to help its automaker clients complete the recalls. Japan's Daicel (NASDAQOTH:DACHF) is also producing inflators for Toyota (NYSE:TM) and others. The Autoliv and Daicel inflators don't use the ammonium nitrate propellant that is susceptible to moisture damage.

To make matters even worse, it has been reported that the replacement airbag systems are not much more stable or safe than the systems being replaced.
Takata is the ONLY manufacturer to use ammonium nitrate as an accelerant - all other manufacturers declined to use it as it is considered to be 'unstable over time'. Experts have stated that testing shows the defective airbag with it's unstable propellant (ammonium nitrate) turns the airbag safety device into a virtual pipe bomb. The newer Takata replacement airbag systems STILL have this same unstable propellant but with a desiccant powder added to help ward off humidity and absorb moisture. Takata claims this fixes the issue, but does it? According to engineers, the new airbag system will degrade just like the defective system, but at a slower rate. Does this mean there will be a recall for the already recalled airbag systems?
Read more about these concerns here:
http://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side ... 50-million

To find out if your vehicle is listed, go the following website and enter your VIN:
http://www.safercar.gov/CheckForRecalls

This is a slo-motion video if a defective Takata airbag exploding instead of inflating properly:
https://youtu.be/7wS6b3y9b1w

What are my plans?
I received my first letter announcing I am on the replacement list and I am waiting for the second letter asking me to make an appointment to have the work done.
I am of two minds over this recall. Out of an estimated over 10 million cars, there have been 11 deaths - roughly one in a million chance. Even ONE death is too many, but the likelihood of my car having a potential pipe bomb in it seems extremely small. On the other hand, what if I AM in that extremely small group? For now, I have a plastic crate filled with a couple books that sits on the passenger seat with the seat belt fastened around it, causing the "passenger seat belt OFF' light to stay on.
I do not, and will not carry multiple passengers in my M35 until it is repaired. Fetucini is aware of the risk, and is fine with sitting in the back seat. We both feel reasonably safe as long as the passenger airbag is deactivated. We can use my Fleetwood or the SUV for group outings.
My dealer has no specific date when the replacement parts will be available and I have not demanded a loaner until my car is fixed. I am essentially in a holding pattern right now.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Here's some news:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/truck-carryi ... tml?ref=gs

The explosion left debris up to two miles from where the truck crashed

HOLY CRAP!

[JerryHofschneider]

The Takata company is cursed.