The Star had reported that a lady driving her Honda CIty died in a seriously minor accident. The steering wheel airbag in her car deployed on impact and must have sent bits of metal into her chest causing her to die. This is the actual problem facing cars equipped with the Takata manufactured airbag. This news is so close to us. We thought things like this would not affect us here in Malaysia.
The problem facing a lot of cars using Takata based airbags is that the charge used may be too powerful and causing pieces to break off when deployed. The explosive charge used to deploy the airbag causes shrapnel or pieces to break and then strike the driver and passenger in the face, neck and chest area causing major harm which could result in death. Like the case mentioned herein.
There is a global recall on all cars using the Takata system from 2001 to around 2013. It is quite scary as many cars are affected. It seems in Malaysia Honda are very affected by the problems of the Takata made airbags. Of course, this isn't the only company with issues.
To quote Wikipedia, "Takata is now responsible for the largest auto recall in history. Takata has already recalled 40 million vehicles across 12 vehicle brands for "Airbags that could explode and potentially send shrapnel into the face and body of both the driver and front seat passenger"] This recall will bring the number up to about 53 million automobiles eligible for this recall. In November 2015, Takata was fined $200 Million ($70 million paid upfront) by U.S. federal regulators in response to Takata admittance of a default. Toyota, Mazda and Honda have said that they will not use ammonium nitrate inflators. On May 4, 2016, the NHTSA announces a recall campaigns of an additional estimated 35-40 million inflators, adding to the already 28.8 million inflators previously recalled"
And on the same matter, I recently received a call from Motor Image, distributors of Subaru in Malaysia. They had called me because I once had a Subaru and according to them the cars during that period also need to be looked at. Subaru owners do take note. Subaru Impreza cars from 2004-2007 may be affected. If you have one, do pay a visit to the service centers.
Honda Malaysia had recently issued a recall for a lot of their locally sold models - about 147,894 vehicles. Honda has had to recall over 21 million cars worldwide. More than any one else.
The models are listed below. You can head to any Honda authorised service center and get the faulty part replaced FREE OF CHARGE. Do this to save the lives of those driving the Honda as well as those sitting in the front seat. Do this as soon as possible. You life may be at stake.
Accord (2003YM - 2011YM)
City (2003YM - 2013YM)
Civic (2001YM - 2011YM)
Civic Hybrid (2003YM & 2007YM - 2012YM)
CR-V (2002YM - 2011YM & 2013YM)
Freed (2009YM - 2011YM)
Insight (2011YM - 2013YM)
Jazz (2003YM - 2007YM & 2009YM - 2013YM)
Jazz Hybrid (2012YM - 2013YM)
Odyssey (2004YM - 2008YM)
Stream (2003YM - 2005YM & 2007YM - 2013YM)
CarandDriver have a massive master list up online for you to see if you have any cars affected by this Takata airbag recall. Remember. It isn't just Honda affected by this - Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ferrari etc. etc.
Taken from the Star
PETALING JAYA: A minor accident involving two cars in Kota Damansara caused the death of one of the drivers, due to what is believed to be a problem involving a front airbag.
Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zani Che Din said Norazlin Haron, 44, was driving from Sri Gombak to Kota Damansara together with her two sons, aged nine and 12, and 22-year-old niece at about noon yesterday.
He said her Honda bumped into the right side of a Mercedes at a junction along Jalan Teknologi 3/6A.
“The weather was good and it was not busy,” ACP Zani said.
Sungai Buloh Fire and Rescue Department senior officer Rosdi Hainan said the driver’s front airbag was found ruptured and Norazlin could have sustained injuries to her chest from an item protruding from the centre of the steering wheel.
“The airbag could have been ruptured by the material. There was blood in the car when we inspected it.
“Medical personnel from Sungai Buloh Hospital said that she was barely alive when help arrived.
“She later died at the scene. Her three passengers were unhurt,” he said.
Rosdi said the couple in the other car, both aged 35, also escaped injury.
A team of fire-fighters from the Sungai Buloh station led by Rosdi arrived at the scene at about 12.10pm after receiving a distress call.
Norazlin’s body was sent to Hospital Sungai Buloh for a post-mortem.
The case is being probed under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless driving.
Earlier this month, Honda Malaysia issued a recall for 147,894 vehicles manufactured from 2003 to 2011 to replace the front passenger airbag inflator.
No comments:
Post a Comment