Honda confirms Takata driver's airbag inflator ruptured in Johor crash

US consumers have filed a lawsuit with a US District Court in Florida in what is believed to be the first in the US to seek class-action status on behalf of consumers nationwide. This could subject Takata to a larger payout in a trial or settlement than if vehicle owners were forced to sue individually - EPA Photo.

KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has confirmed that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver’s airbag inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2009 Honda City on Sept 24, 2016 in Johor.

It said on Wednesday the crash resulted in the tragic death of the driver. However, no official cause of death has been yet determined.

Honda issued the confirmation during an inspection with the police that the Takata SDI driver’s airbag inflator ruptured in the crash.

“The vehicle involved in this crash was included in a Malaysian product recall announced on July 10, 2015, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s front airbag. 

“A notification letter was sent out to the owner related to the recall and our records indicate that the recall repair was never completed. 

“The vehicle involved in this crash has also been included in the Takata single stage (SPI) passenger’s front airbag inflator recall announced on June 23, 2016. Honda has confirmed that the passenger’s airbag inflator did not rupture while it deployed and functioned in a proper manner in this crash,” it said.