Volkswagen recalls 115,000 vehicles equipped with Takata airbags

Takata airbags, one of the deadliest safety devices ever invented, are in the news again as Volkswagen recalls 114,478 vehicles. All are equipped with a Takata driver-side front airbag inflator for 2006-2007 Passat, 2012-2014 Passat, and 2017-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible. There was also an odd mention of the 2017 Passat wagon.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the air bag inflators equipped in these vehicles “may explode due to propellant degradation following prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycles.” If an explosion occurs, deadly shrapnel could kill or injure the driver and other passengers.

More: 28th U.S. death linked to Takata airbag malfunction

While issues with Takata air bags are nothing new, the safety recall report states that “Volkswagen and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reviewed findings from various sources… concerning the safety and security of dry Takata air bag inflators.” service life.” Volkswagen’s internal testing of the parts showed better performance than other studies and “no defects were found.”

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However, after consulting with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volkswagen decided to issue a recall out of an abundance of caution. This doesn’t sound as serious as other recalls – owners are told to stop driving immediately – as the document says “air bag inflators… do not currently pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.”

The origins of the recall date back several years, with a timeline laid out in an agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It includes a combination of original equipment and replacement parts, although the automaker is unaware of any problems.

Owners can expect to receive notification later this year that dealers will replace the driver-side front airbag module with an ammonium nitrate-free module.

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