The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced a recall of over 2.1 million vehicles nationwide. The recall focuses on problems with the vehicles’ air bag systems.
The recall includes the following vehicles and model years:
- 2002 through 2004 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee,
- 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty,
- 2003 and 2004 Dodge Viper,
- 2003 and 2004 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Avalon,
- 2003 and 2004 Pontiac Vibe,
- 2003 and 2004 Honda Odyssey,
- 2003 Acura MDX.
Some of the vehicles have already been repaired under a previous recall that sought to fix problems with air bags rupturing when they inflated too quickly or improperly, according to the NHTSA. However, the former repair does not seem to have solved the issue. The NHTSA has gotten approximately 400 reports of air bags deploying improperly, including 93 vehicles that had already received the first repair. Out of nine of those cases, the air bag ruptured, causing injuries to three drivers.
At least six deaths may have been caused by the air bag problem, the agency estimates. Air bags that deploy at the wrong time, that do not deploy in an accident, or that deploy too quickly or forcefully may cause or worsen the very injuries they are intended to reduce or prevent, as many experienced Dallas defective tire lawyers have seen.
Texas drivers who own one of the recalled vehicles can call the NHTSA Safety Hotline toll-free at 888-327-4236 for more information or visit the NHTSA’s recall website, SaferCar.gov. As with other vehicle recalls, dealers will offer repairs free of charge to vehicle owners.
