On May 4, 2016, Takata agreed to recall up to an additional 40 million airbag inflators. This brings the total to approximately 69 million recalled airbag inflators. The Takata recall is the largest recall in American history. Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create an explosion to inflate their airbags. In hot and humid environments, the ammonium nitrate degrades. When the degraded ammonium nitrate explodes to inflate the airbag, the metal canister housing the airbag shatters shooting metal shrapnel into occupants. Numerous injuries and deaths have been reported. Because of the number of vehicles affected, the fix is not expected until 2019. Fourteen automobile manufacturers are now affected and countless models.
To make sure you and your family are not at risk, find your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number or VIN. The VIN is a 17 digit code of letters and numbers that can be found on the inside of the driver side door panel on a sticker or in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield below your inspection sticker on a metal placard. You will have to go outside the vehicle to see it through the windshield. Take a picture of the VIN or write it down. Then click on the button below to go to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Enter your VIN and NHTSA will let you know if your vehicle is affected.
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