The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Honda over a defective auto product recall involving its airbags. According to an ABC news report, the federal auto safety agency is looking into whether Honda delayed last year's recall of more than 400,000 cars for an airbag defect, that apparently caused the airbag to rupture and pieces of metal to hit the driver and vehicle occupants during a car accident. The original recall in November included 3,900 Honda Accords and Civics (2001 models). Eight months later, Honda expanded the recall to cover about 440,000 cars including 2002 Honda Accords and Acura TL models. The safety agency is questioning the delay in these recalls and demanding an explanation from Honda.

Delayed Vehicle Recall?

The California car accident lawyers at BISNAR | CHASE have been following this product safety recall ever since it was issued and we have been asking the same question. Was Honda dragging its feet over this recall? Why was there almost a one-year delay between the two recalls, which were apparently issued for identical problems? How long had Honda known about these serious airbag defects? I sincerely hope the NHTSA finds the answers to these questions and holds the auto maker accountable, should they find any negligence or wrongdoing.

Here's the problem with these defective vehicles. The airbag inflators in these cars can over-pressurize the airbag causing the inflator itself to rupture and project metal fragments that could cause serious injuries to occupants. The metal fragments can apparently pass through the cloth airbag cushion material causing personal injury or death. This auto product defect has reportedly caused six known injuries and one death so far. The question to ask here, is could that fatality have been prevented had Honda acted quickly or even in a timely manner to recall these vehicles.

Airbag Defects Can Be Devastating

There is no question that defective airbags can result in catastrophic injuries and/or deaths. In this product defect, the flying shrapnel from the airbags can cause serious personal injury and also result in the airbag getting punctured and not deploying in the event of a car accident. We count on airbags to keep us safe during a car crash. However, in cases of airbag failures or defects, the consequences can be devastating or even fatal, as we've seen with these defective Honda airbags.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a serious car accident involving these defective Honda airbags, please consult a reputed California personal injury lawyer who has significant experience and a successful track record against large auto makers such as Ford, General Motors, Honda and Toyota. In any auto products liability case, you would be well-advised to preserve the vehicle, which is the main piece of evidence. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive initial consultation to car accident victims and their families.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our source for the facts is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. Most of the best law firms will provide accident victims a free consultation.

We cannot fully inform any party or family member about their rights, options or the economic viability of any claim for compensation without a full investigation and consultation. We will not be conducting an investigation into this matter unless we are retained by a party. We will provide a free, confidential consultation to any, not at fault, person named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.