The Volkswagen Audi airbag recall has already affected millions of American car owners, due to the cars having allegedly defective Takata airbags. The Volkswagen Audi airbag recall affects at least 600,000 vehicles, with most of them being Audis.

Along with Volkswagen and Audi vehicles, Takata manufactures airbags for 19 different automobile companies.  The Takata airbag recall affects a total of 40 million vehicles.

The majority of the vehicles affected by the Volkswagen Audi airbag recall include Audi A5s made between 2011 and 2017, which reportedly suffer corrosion problems that further complicate the airbag deployment.

The initial Volkswagen Audi airbag recall included vehicles made between 2002 and 2015. According to Consumer Reports, the NHTSA is classifying the Takata airbag recall as “largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. History.”

Even though the Volkswagen Audi airbag recall prevents potentially fatal injuries or death, critics claim the company took too long to respond and did not make enough effort to minimize the damage.

Overview of Volkswagen Audi Airbag Recall

The Volkswagen Audi Airbag recall was issued after regulators found a significant problem with the airbag inflator or deployment process. The airbag inflator is contains a metal cartridge that is loaded with propellant, which is designed to rapidly deploy when activated.

However the alleged defective Takata airbags inside affected Volkswagen and Audi vehicles reportedly explode with too much force, cuasing the metal cartridge to rupture. This sends metal shrapnel throughout the car, making the airbags behave similarly to explosives rather than a cushion.

The propellant used in Takata airbags is made with ammonium nitrate, which is a chemical commonly used in bomb making. Under normal circumstances, the airbag should deploy just enough to create the needed cushion in a typical airbag. However in the case of these alleged defective Takata airbags, there is reportedly a lack of drying agent that allows the for the explosion to occur.

These airbag explosions are reportedly more likely in conditions of high heat and humidity, as experts believe this causes the propellant to deteriorate. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that if these Takata airbags are not replaced, then it could potentially result in fatalities. The defect has reportedly killed or seriously injured several vehicle drivers and passengers.

The NHTSA stated that the companies will be repairing and replacing airbags in affected cars without any charge, as part of the Volkswagen Audi airbag recall. Incidents with Takata airbags have also been reported overseas.

Even with the severity of the injuries associated with the alleged defective airbags, the automobile company reportedly took awhile to respond to the problem. Many customers wonder what caused the company to have such a delayed response, and if the Volkswagen Audi airbag recall could have been conducted sooner.

In addition, customers complained the car company may not have enough of the necessary parts to properly repair their vehicles. They also say the company has failed to offer any financial assistance to any costs related to the Volkswagen Audi airbag recall.

Furthermore, Volkswagen reportedly does not yet have a program set up to help customers with replacement transportation or rental cars. Consumers who are affected by the Volkswagen Audi airbag recall may be eligible for compensation and should contact a lawyer to determine eligibility.