Honda confirms Takata airbag inflator ruptured in 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 has confirmed that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver’s airbag inflator ruptured in a crash on Jan 1, 2018 in Malaysia. 

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

Honda said on Tuesday an inspection with the police showed the inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2004 Honda City.

Honda said the vehicle involved in this crash was included in a Malaysian product recall announced on May 21, 2015, requiring the airbag be replaced. 

“Several notification letters related to the recall were sent out to the then owners of the vehicle based on the information in our database, yet the letters were not sent to the current owner due to the change of ownership. 

“Our records indicate that the recall replacement was never completed,” it said.

Honda also said the vehicle involved in this crash has also been included in the Takata single stage (SDI) passenger’s front airbag inflator recall issued on the same day, May 21, 2015.

Honda confirmed that the passenger airbag inflator did not rupture while it was deployed and functioned in a proper manner in this crash.