BackTakata, car makers sued by drivers over defective air bags
16 buyers or leasers of Honda, BMW, and other affected brands file a complaint in federal court in Florida
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Federal court in Los Angeles: Takata Corp. and car makers that install the company’s airbags were sued by US drivers who claim they were duped into buying unsafe vehicles following the recall of almost 8 million cars from 10 auto makers.
Sixteen buyers or leasers of Honda Motor Co., Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), and other affected brands filed a complaint on Monday in federal court in Florida seeking to represent a nationwide class of consumers. They allege they were harmed by buying vehicles that, because of potentially dangerous air bags, weren’t as safe as they were made to believe.
Air bags made by Takata are linked to at least four deaths and more than 30 injuries in the US after the safety devices deployed with too much force, spraying metal shrapnel at occupants. Honda alone has recalled 6 million vehicles globally since 2008 because of the Takata air-bag flaw.
“Takata and the vehicle manufacturer defendants knew or should have known that the Takata airbags installed in millions of vehicles were defective," according to a copy of the complaint provided by plaintiffs’ lawyers. “Both Takata and the vehicle manufacturer defendants, who concealed their knowledge of the nature and extent of the defects from the public, have shown a blatant disregard for public welfare and safety."
The filing wasn’t available directly from court records.
As of last week, about 7.8 million people in the US were being notified about the defect, with General Motors Co. joining Toyota Motor Corp. in warning people not to sit in front passenger seats until repairs can be made. The recalls affect at least 10 car makers in the US. Bloomberg
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