NHTSA Seeking To Force Takata, Automakers Into Expanded Recall

Takata, the Japan-based airbags manufacturer may issue a national recall, whether it wants to or not. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has indicated they will force Takata to issue a national recall. That expanded recall would include airbags for about 5 million Ford, BMW, Mazda, Chrysler and Honda vehicles. The Deputy Chief of the NHTSA David Friedman told reporters at an event on December 16th that he was glad both Honda and Mazda “did the right thing.” That right thing was for them to expand their recall efforts past the regional initiative orchestrated by Takata.

The Detroit Free Press reported the NHTSA wants to take the time to build a very strong case to force Takata to issue a national recall. The NHTSA is also trying to force certain automakers to issue their own national airbag recall. In a meeting with reporters, David Friedman said that his association is reviewing tens of thousands of pages of documents, “so that we can build an airtight case, so if they force us to go all the way into court — which we will if that’s what it takes to protect the American public, then we will win.” In order for the NHTSA to force automakers to issue more comprehensive recalls they must first send them a “formal demand letter.”

Next, the automaker responds and the NHTSA must hold a public hearing on the issue. If the automakers still decline the demand to issue the recall, the NHTSA would file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. The DFP reports that the entire process could take “months or even years.” The NHTSA isn’t alone is calling for improvement from automakers in regards to safety. U.S. Transpiration Secretary Anthony Foxx told DFP, “It’s disappointing that the system we have hasn’t been working better but it also reminds us that perhaps there’s some things we should be looking to Congress to help us with in terms of giving us additional tools.”

While the government looks for support to go after Takata and other automakers over recalls, what’s your two cents? With a national recall more and more likely, what will the impact be for you at your store? Does the recall concern you?