The recent Volkswagen airbag recall has affected hundreds of thousands of Volkswagens and Audis with defective airbags manufactured by Takata.

This Volkswagen airbag recall is one of many related automobile recalls affecting over 42 million U.S. vehicles from 19 different car manufacturers. It is estimated that this airbag recall is the largest in history, affecting almost 70 million airbags worldwide.

The affected vehicles were manufactured from 2002 to 2015.

Consumer Reports cites the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, in saying that this is “the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history.”

Dangerous Defect Leads to Volkswagen Airbag Recall

This massive recall, encompassing the Volkswagen airbag recall as well, has been spurred by reports that airbags made by parts supplier, Takata, had the potential to deploy in an explosive manner, severely injuring the occupants of the vehicle.

The airbags that are part of the Volkswagen airbag recall are fitted with an inflator. This is a metal cartridge with propellant “wafers.” These wafers are what have been reported to explode.

When these wafers explode, they can rupture the inflator housing into metal shards, which then explode throughout the cabin of the car.

Not all airbags rupture like this. The NHTSA has found that in airbags that are manufactured with a nitrate-based propellant but without a chemical drying agent, over time, moisture, temperature changes and age can affect the safety of the airbag. These are the airbags that are at risk to explode and severely injure the occupants of a car.

The larger Takata airbag recall including the Volkswagen airbag recall are behind 11 fatalities in the United States and 180 injuries.

The Volkswagen airbag recall specifically affects both Volkswagens and Audis. According to cars.com, models that are affected by this recall include:

• 2006-10 Passat sedans and wagons (manufactured in Germany)
• 2012-14 Eos convertibles
• 2010-14 Golf hatchbacks
• 2010-14 Passats (manufactured in the U.S.)
• 2009-14 CC sedans
• 2005-15 Audi A3
• 2006-09 A4 convertibles
• 2009-12 Q5 SUVs
• 2010-11 Audi A5 convertibles

In a statement, Volkswagen said that it was not aware of any ruptured inflator in any of their cars. However, the Volkswagen airbag recall affects their vehicles because they are equipped with the faulty airbags by Takata.

Volkswagen has announced that it will notify owners of affected cars so that they may arrange an appointment with a local dealer to replace the faulty component.

Takata pleaded guilty in March 2017 to deceiving automobile manufacturers about the safety of their airbags. They have been ordered to pay $1 billion in penalties plus more in compensation to manufacturers.

If you own a Volkswagen or Audi and are affected by the Volkswagen airbag recall, it is suggested that you seek out an appointment for repair at your local dealer.

If you have been injured by an exploding airbag in a car affected by the Volkswagen airbag recall, you may benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney. You may be able to pursue legal action as a result.