GM Recalls Millions of Trucks and SUVs With Takata Air Bag Inflators

Truck and SUV owners listen up, General Motors (GM) is recalling millions of its vehicles that are equipped with Takata air bag inflators. 

The SUV and truck recall campaign will kick off next month with affected owners receiving notices as early as March 1, according to ConsumerAffairs. This Takata air bag inflator recall is a big one and is part of what’s described as “the largest and most complex vehicle recalls in U.S. history” by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) notice. 

“These recalls currently involve 19 vehicle manufacturers and over 60 million Takata air bag inflators in tens of millions of vehicles in the United States alone,” the notice adds. 

GM initially disputed the safety agency’s recall request in November, reportedly saying that the air bags in question were not affected by the same deterioration as the defective air bags. However, the automaker has since agreed to the recall.

Top Class Actions is helping right consumer wrongs by reporting on vehicles recalled over dangerous defects. If you or a loved one was injured after a Takata air bag explosion, you may be able to join a lawsuit investigation.

GM Recalls Millions of Trucks and SUVs With Takata Air Bag Inflators

The issue sparking the recall surrounds the deterioration of Takata inflators that are exposed to humidity or high temperatures for a long period of time. The defect has proven to be deadly. 

“During air bag deployment, this propellant degradation can cause the inflator to over-pressurize, causing sharp metal fragments (like shrapnel) to penetrate the air bag and enter the vehicle compartment,” the NHTSA notice states. “To date, these rupturing Takata inflators have resulted in the deaths of 18 people across the United States and hundreds of injuries, including lacerations and other serious consequences to occupants’ face, neck, and chest areas.”

Indeed, there have been several class action lawsuits filed with consumers claiming to have suffered the injuries listed above. A plaintiff in Puerto Rico says metal shrapnel exploded in her face when her Takata air bag activated in a front-end crash. She allegedly now has permanent injuries from the explosion. 

The dangerous and deadly Takata air bag defect has also been the subject of numerous recalls, settlements and state payouts. The issue is widespread, with class action settlements being reached with Canadian consumers as well. 

This latest GM recall includes a plethora of vehicles reportedly sold or registered in 42 states listed in the ConsumerAffairs report. Owners of the impacted vehicles can expect to receive a notice next month. 

GM doesn’t have a fix for the dangerous Takata air bag defect right now, but owners will be able to have a new front passenger air bag installed for free, according to ConsumerAffairs. 

Do you own a GM Truck or SUV? Are you concerned about the recalled Takata air bag inflators? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below! 

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