Toyota And Nissan In 6.5 Million Airbag Recall

[L00b]

Well this latest recall seems to suggest the airbags are not that reliable, is it a question that really needs answering?

The recall is about Tanaka airbags only (not other airbag manufacturers, and Toyota just buys and fits them in their cars, they don't make them), is based on safety in view of 5 deaths and dozens of injuries potentially caused by too-fast airbag inflation:

The airbags - which can inflate with too much force, shooting out metal shards - have been linked to at least five deaths and dozens of injuries.

(potentially, because 'linked to' does not mean the same as 'caused by').

 

For context, 'more than' 2 millions Tanaka airbags have deployed since 1987:

The letter added: "Our airbags have deployed safely in more than two million auto accidents around the world since we began producing them in 1987, saving many thousands of lives."

So, the recall is about a probability of (let's say 5 deaths and 3 dozens injuries) 0.00205%, assuming that

 

(i) an accident occurs

 

(ii) with sufficient force to cause airbag deployment (from 1st hand experience, I can tell you that's some force to begin with, very likely car-writing off force)

 

(iii) and the car is being used in a high humidity area (identified as being a primary cause of the company's airbag propellant becoming volatile).

 

Everybody calm down. Please.

Edited May 13, 2015 by L00b

[evil woman]

Makes me laugh when people say that Japanese cars are the best and most reliable. They've had some of the biggest recalls in the past few years.

 

Just a couple of points here. Nissan and Toyota make around 1 million cars a year in the UK. Airbags tend to be a bought in item. There was a time in the USA where Ford discovered a major safety issue on one of its cars. They carried on regardless as the compensation to those killed was less than the cost of putting the faults right.

Edited May 13, 2015 by evil woman

[Dardandec]

There was a time in the USA where Ford discovered a major safety issue on one of its cars. They carried on regardless as the compensation to those killed was less than the cost of putting the faults right.

 

That was the Ford Pinto, more information on the fault HERE.

[Harleyman]

I've had two recalls done over the past few years for air bag problems on my Honda Accord. I'd still buy another Honda tomorrow if I had to.

[psynuk]

Took the dust sheets off the MX5 at the weekend, not touched it in the last 6 or 7 months (garage-hibernated mid-Oct'14 IIRC). 17 springs young, and everything original throughout (except tyres and filters/plugs, of course).

 

Checked the levels and visually the belts, all good. Reconnected the battery and cranked it. First turn of the key, first catch of the starter motor. Tappets were unsurprisingly a bit noisy for the first 5 mins (due a service and oil change), and brakes a bit scratchy/crunchy to begin with, but all silent/absolutely fine after engine started to warm up and a few 'clearing' applications of brakes.

 

I'd not been out with 15 minutes this morning (1st time, insured and taxed it last night) that some guy was already asking me at the lights if it's for sale. Eeeeh - no.

 

Well that's just depressing.

Mine's going to have to sit on the drive -whilst having a good long think about what it's done and until it's sorry- 'till I can afford to fix it

[Cyclone]

Well this latest recall seems to suggest the airbags are not that reliable, is it a question that really needs answering?

 

Reliability of a car in the context of manufacturers is almost always about mechanical reliability. So a problem that they've found with an airbag, which will be replaced for free, has no bearing on their reputation for reliability IMO.

[Owethemnowt]

Germans too ................. had my BMW re-called, collected, re-turned.

 

And that was some time ago.