CARFAX: 6.4 MILLION VEHICLES NEED TAKATA AIRBAGS REPLACED - EVEN AFTER 10 YEARS OF RECALLS

Rhea-AI Summary

CARFAX reports that 6.4 million vehicles in the U.S. still have potentially lethal Takata airbags a decade after recalls were mandated by the NHTSA. Notably, 2.5 million of these vehicles are in high-risk states, including Texas, California, and Florida. Takata airbags, under prolonged heat and humidity, can explode violently, causing shrapnel injuries. To date, 27 fatalities and 400 injuries in the U.S. have been linked to these airbags.

Despite the recalls, 150,000+ unfixed vehicles are reported in 14 states, with the highest numbers in Texas (788,000) and California (739,000). CARFAX emphasizes the urgency of replacing these airbags, which is a quick and free process. The CARFAX Car Care app alerts users about recalls, assisting them in ensuring their vehicle's safety.

CARFAX collaborates with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation in expanding the Vehicle Recall Search Service to more states. This service, launched in 2018, has checked over 5.8 billion vehicles.

Positive

• 6.4 million U.S. vehicles identified with Takata airbags, highlighting scope of recall efforts.
• 40% of affected vehicles located in high-risk states, emphasizing targeted recall focus.
• 27 fatalities and 400 injuries underline serious safety risk, enhancing urgency of recall actions.
• CARFAX Car Care app aids consumers in tracking recalls, boosting consumer safety measures.
• Collaboration with Alliance for Automotive Innovation expands recall awareness.
• Vehicle Recall Search Service checked over 5.8 billion vehicles, showing extensive outreach.

Negative

• 10 years post-recall, 6.4 million vehicles still have unfixed Takata airbags, indicating slow progress.
• High-risk states like Texas, California, and Florida report substantial numbers of unfixed vehicles.
• Extended exposure to heat and humidity in certain states increases risk, potential for more incidents.
• Recall fatigue among consumers suggests a challenge in ensuring all vehicles are fixed.

Insights

Safety Analyst

The persistent issue of unfixed Takata airbags, even after a decade of recalls, highlights a significant safety concern. The fact that 6.4 million vehicles in the U.S. still have these defective airbags is alarming. Takata airbags are known to deploy more explosively in high heat and humidity, which is prevalent in Zone A states like Texas, California and Florida. This puts a large number of vehicles at increased risk, underscored by the statistic that 27 people in the U.S. have died and at least 400 have been injured due to these airbags.

From a safety standpoint, the continued presence of these airbags in vehicles on the road poses a severe threat to both the occupants and public safety at large. Recall fatigue among consumers is a real issue and while efforts by CARFAX and other organizations to raise awareness and facilitate free airbag replacements are commendable, the slow pace of replacements indicates systemic issues in recall management and consumer outreach. Stakeholders, particularly vehicle owners in high-risk regions, should be aware of these risks and take immediate action to replace defective airbags to prevent further casualties.

Market Research Analyst

The ongoing issue with Takata airbags presents both challenges and opportunities in the automotive market. CARFAX's data indicating that 40% of these vehicles are in high-risk zones—like Alabama, Florida and Texas—suggests a targeted approach for marketing recall services is necessary. The high numbers of unfixed vehicles in these states show potential gaps in consumer awareness or access to recall services. With more than 67 million airbags recalled across 40 million vehicles, the scale of the issue is vast, indicating that manufacturers and service providers might need to increase their efforts in communicating the urgency of these recalls to consumers.

Looking ahead, the involvement of more states in the Vehicle Recall Search Service is a positive step. The service has checked over 5.8 billion vehicles since 2018, but expanding its reach could significantly decrease the number of unfixed recalls. Additionally, the promotion of tools like the CARFAX Car Care app, which already has over 40 million users receiving recall alerts, can help bridge the gap between notification and action. However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on sustained and intensive marketing efforts, particularly in demographics and regions most affected by recall fatigue.

Data Shows 40% of Them Are in Highest-Risk U.S. States

CENTREVILLE, Va., May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten years after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated the recall of Takata airbags nationwide because of the risk they pose for bodily harm – or even death – to occupants, more than 6.4 million vehicles in the U.S. still have those airbags, according to CARFAX data.

"Getting an airbag replaced is quick, free to them, and could save the life of a loved one – or their own!"

More than 2.5 million – roughly 40% of all these unfixed vehicles – are located in states that NHTSA calls Zone A, according to CARFAX vehicle history data. These states "pose the highest threat to safety" because of their high heat and humidity. They are Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas.

Fourteen states have 150,000 or more unfixed vehicles with Takata airbags:

Texas*	788,000
California*	739,000
Florida*	305,000
N.C.	216,000
Ohio	209,000
N.Y.	206,000
Pennsylvania	204,000
Tennessee	202,000
Arizona*	201,000
Georgia*	195,000
Illinois	167,000
Michigan	164,000
Indiana	154,000
Alabama*	151,000

*Zone A states

Extended exposure to heat and humidity can cause Takata airbag inflators to deploy far more explosively than expected. That excessive force can launch pieces of metal surrounding the inflator into a vehicle's cabin like shrapnel, posing a high risk to occupants. NHTSA says 27 people in the U.S. have been killed by these airbags and at least 400 have been injured. More than 67 million airbags in more than 40 million vehicles have been recalled in models from 19 automakers. Get more details.

"Even after a decade of a dedicated and committed effort by the vehicle manufacturers, government, non-profits and businesses, it's concerning that so many affected vehicles continue to be driven on U.S. roads with these potentially dangerous airbags sitting inside," said Faisal Hasan, CARFAX General Manager for Data. "It's easy to see recall fatigue settle in for many consumers, but they need to act. We know that raising the alarm with local media can make that happen urgently. Getting an airbag replaced is quick, free to them, and could save the life of a loved one – or their own!"

Consumers can track recalls for their vehicle by getting the free CARFAX Car Care app. It will notify them when any new recall is issued for their car, at no cost to them. More than 40 million users are getting these recall alerts today. Consumers can also check to see if their vehicle has an unfixed recall by going to Carfax.com/recall and entering either their Vehicle Identification Number or their license plate information. CARFAX will tell them instantly – for free – if there's an unfixed recall.

In addition, CARFAX is working with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation to involve more states with the Vehicle Recall Search Service. The Vehicle Recall Search Service is used by Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York State, Ohio, and Texas to alert residents to open safety recalls and get them fixed. Launched in 2018 as a completely free system, the Vehicle Recall Search Service has checked more than 5.8 billion vehicles since its launch 6 years ago.

Editor's note: Interviews with Patrick Olsen, CARFAX Editor-in-Chief, are available at any time. Please contact us at PublicRelations@carfax.com. We have numbers for all 50 states as well as the Top 50 markets.

About CARFAX

CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX® vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX®.

S&P Global Mobility is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets.

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SOURCE CARFAX

FAQ

How many vehicles still need Takata airbags replaced?

More than 6.4 million vehicles in the U.S. need their Takata airbags replaced.

Which states have the highest number of vehicles with unfixed Takata airbags?

Texas, California, and Florida are among the states with the highest number of vehicles with unfixed Takata airbags.

What are the risks associated with unfixed Takata airbags?

Unfixed Takata airbags can explode violently under heat and humidity, causing shrapnel injuries.

How can consumers track airbag recalls for their vehicles?

Consumers can use the CARFAX Car Care app or visit Carfax.com/recall to track airbag recalls.

What has CARFAX done to help with the Takata airbag recall?

CARFAX has identified 6.4 million affected vehicles and collaborates with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation to expand the Vehicle Recall Search Service.

How many vehicles have been checked by the Vehicle Recall Search Service?

The Vehicle Recall Search Service has checked over 5.8 billion vehicles since its launch.