General Motors has recently initiated a Cadillac Escalade airbag recall, with consumers reporting the airbags can suddenly explode.

The Cadillac Escalade airbag recall is a part of a larger initiative affecting a number of other vehicles containing Takata’s airbags, including Chrysler and other General Motors automobiles.

Vehicles affected by the Cadillac Escalade airbag recall will continue to receive repairs, even though Takata is filing for bankruptcy. Dealers are supposed to notify owners affected by the recall when their cars may be eligible for free repairs.

The Cadillac Escalade airbag recall is a part of the largest recall in the United States history, with affected vehicles including but not limited to:

• 2010-2014 Escalade
• 2010-2014 Escalade ESV
• 2010-2013 Escalade EXT

Repairs are expected to last through the end of the decade, with the oldest cars most vulnerable to humidity and temperature changes to be the most at risk. These older cars are expected to have first priority attention, since the ammonium nitrate propellent in the airbags has most likely degraded.

This makes the Cadillac Escalade airbag recall very important to vehicle owners, with models as late as 2010 to 2014 also at risk for alleged defective airbag problems. Defective Takata air bags are prone to exploding open upon deployment, causing shrapnel to fly into drivers and passengers.

According to injury reports, at least 16 people have been killed in this manner and over 180 injuries have been reported.

Overview of Cadillac Escalade Airbag Recall

Several automobile companies have had to recall hundreds of thousands of vehicles, due to the defective Takata airbags. These defective Takata airbags contain the company’s proprietary ammonium nitrate compound, which deteriorates over time and can eventually rupture.

According to the recall, the front airbags can explode upon deployment and can potentially injure the driver and front passenger. This defect has allegedly resulted in deaths of both drivers and passengers, along with chronic injuries.

Regulators state the defect of the airbags can be traced to the inflator, which consists of a metal cartridge loaded with the ammonium nitrate propellant. Ammonium nitrate is a chemical also utilized in bomb making. Takata inflators use a minimal amount of this propellant to deploy the airbag.

The inflator is designed to inflate when signaled to deploy, which normally occurs during impact. However the ammonium nitrate compound has allegedly resulted in the airbags becoming a dangerous design flaw, rather than a life saving device.

Regulators state the airbags do not have sufficient amounts of the vital drying agent, which is supposed to control the amount of force used when the airbags are deployed. The exploding airbags are reportedly made worse by high heat and humidity, because fluctuating temperatures may cause the propellant to deteriorate.

Due to the Takata airbags posing potentially life threatening injuries, the affected vehicles may not be safe for consumers to drive. Vehicle owners are being advised to get alternative transportation or use a different car until their own automobile can be fixed.

Takata and automobile manufacturers have been facing criticism for a late response as well as not having a system in place to help consumers with alternative transportation. Customers affected by the Cadillac Escalde airbag recall may be able to file legal action against Takata and should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The airbag injury attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual defective airbag recall lawsuit or defective airbag recall class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, defective airbag recall lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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