300K Honda and Acura owners warned against driving cars

 Posted on July 07, 2016 in Car Accidents

Honda and Acura model cars have a great reputation for durability and user satisfaction. Year after year, they have come out at or near the top in consumer surveys.

Many of these vehicles come with Takata air bags as standard equipment and, as we have noted in previous posts, this may be reason for many across central Illinois to be a little bit concerned. Some of the bags decay with age and have become deadly in what might normally be minor motor vehicle collisions. Now, there's apparently even more reason to take note.

As most readers likely know, the discovery of the faulty Takata air bags has prompted the largest recall of defective automotive products in U.S. history. The action affects millions of cars made by more nearly two dozen companies.

Well, late last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took things one step further and issued an urgent warning specifically to owners of more than 300,000 Honda and Acura vehicles. They've been told that they should not even drive their cars until the Takata air bags they carry have been replaced.

The announcement follows tests conducted on bag units used in a number of Honda and Acura cars built from 2001 to 2003. Officials say they found that the risk of malfunction and danger to drivers and passengers is drastically greater than first thought. In fact, officials say eight of the 10 deaths confirmed by explosive air bags involved cars covered by the warning.

In making the most recent announcement, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, "Folks should not drive these vehicles unless they are going straight to a dealer to have them repaired immediately, free of charge."

For some, the warning may have come too late. Anyone who has been injured in a crash due to another's negligence or faulty equipment should know they have rights, rights an experienced attorney can help protect.

Source: The Washington Post, "Citing Takata air bags, regulators tell some Honda and Acura owners not to drive," Ashley Halsey III, June 30, 2016