Continental’s faulty air bags in millions of cars

On Behalf of O’Malley Tunstall PLLC | Feb 12, 2016 | Products Liability

In North Carolina and the rest of the U.S., the faulty airbag problem has become even more widespread. Now Continental Automotive Systems is recalling between 1.5 million and two million U.S. cars out of the five million worldwide. The problem with these airbags is the control units.

Continental Automotive said it may have equipped up to 5 million cars with potentially defective air bag control units. Fiat Chrysler is recalling 112,000 U.S. automobiles. Honda Motor Co. is recalling 341,000 of the 2008-2010 Accord models. They said they have received 83 field reports and 1,575 warranty claims, and the defective product has been connected with at least two consumer injuries. Mercedes-Benz and three other car makers are also affected.

Continental Automotive informed the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the electronic systems built between 2006 and 2010 could be a dangerous product. They may cause the air bags to fail in a wreck, or they may accidentally deploy without warning. Honda reported there have been 74 injury complaints related to airbags that failed to deploy, although these have not been confirmed. According to NHTSA records, a Florida parent filed a complaint due their son’s injury. He ran into a concrete wall going approximately 50 mph in their 2008 Honda Accord, and the airbags failed.

If someone has been injured or has lost a loved one due to a negligent manufacturer or an automobile design defect, then a personal injury attorney who is experienced in product liability could be able to help them. The attorney could negotiate a settlement with the responsible party and may represent the plaintiff in court. An attorney may be able to help them receive the damages they may be due, such as medical expenses and pain and suffering.

Source: Reuters, “Continental says five million vehicles worldwide may have faulty air bags”, David Shepardson, Feb. 5, 2016