The recent Cadillac Escalade recalls were a part of a larger initiative involving hundreds of thousands of cars, containing allegedly  defective Takata airbags.

The Cadillac Escalade recalls were conducted to help prevent further car accidents involving the alleged defective airbags, which have already been linked to 16 deaths and 180 serious injuries.

General Motors had initiated the Cadillac Escalade recalls after consumers reported the airbags in these vehicles can unexpectedly explode. General Motors has recalled other vehicles containing the allegedly defective Takata airbags, with the recalled vehicles receiving repairs from Takata despite the company recently filing for bankruptcy.

At this time, GM automobile dealers are supposed to notify affected owners of the Cadillac Escalade recalls that their vehicles may be eligible for repairs. The repair prices to these cars are expected to last through the decade, with GM and other automakers warning that older car models are the most at risk for unexpected airbag explosions. This risk occurs because the ammonium nitrate propellant in the airbags is likely to be more deteriorated than in newer models, creating a dangerous situation for consumers.

The Cadillac Escalade recalls primarily affect models between 2010 to 2014, including but not limited to:

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

Overview of Takata Airbag Recall

The Cadillac Escalade recalls were made after General Motors announced that certain vehicles with allegedly defective Takata airbags were prone to sudden explosion and could causes serious injuries to consumers. According to the Cadillac Escalade recalls, the front airbags can potentially explode and send shrapnel onto the driver and passengers.

Regulators have linked the cause of the explosion to the airbag inflator, which consists of a metal cartridge filled with ammonium nitrate propellant. The airbag inflator is designed to inflate upon impact, but the alleged defective Takata airbags may explode due to the ammonium nitrate degrading.

Different factors like high temperatures and humidity may cause the propellant to degrade, converting the propellant into a potential explosive. It is important to note that ammonium nitrate is the same chemical sometimes used in bombs, but Takata utilized it to act as an inflator for their airbags.

The airbags are supposed to deploy with just enough force to make the ideal airbag device, but the propellant may turn the safety devices into something like a grenade instead.

In addition to the propellant, regulators also warn that the allegedly defective Takata airbags did not have sufficient amounts of a vital drying agent. This drying agent was supposed to limit the airbags from deploying with too much force, preventing potentially disastrous results. Takata airbags are currently used by 19 different automakers, each of which has had to conduct their own Takata airbag recall.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),  the Takata airbag recall was described as the “largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. History.” Experts predict that the Takata airbag recall will affect over 42 million vehicles in the United States, with 65 to 70 million airbags.

Both Takata and automobile manufacturers have faced massive public criticism over the allegedly defective Takata airbags, with consumers complaining the airbag warning should have come sooner.

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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