The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is suing Continental Airlines over the fatal crash of a Ford minivan in 2012. The agency claims that airbags provided by Continental were defective, causing an explosion in the engine compartment which led to the death of Elaine Danforth and her two children on their way back from vacation.
Continental Airbags is one of the most popular car manufacturers in America. They have been involved in a product class action lawsuit since 2009, which has lead to many people being able to get money back from Continental Airbags. Read more in detail here: product class action lawsuits.
Continental airbags may have a power supply component that corrodes due to moisture, resulting in airbags not deploying in the case of an accident or deploying for no cause.
Continental Automotive Systems’ airbag control units made between 2006 and 2010 may have a power supply component that corrodes due to dampness, causing the device to fail.
This flaw may impair the functioning of the vehicle’s safety systems, such as seatbelt pretensioners (devices that regulate the slack and tightening of seatbelts) and airbags, which may fail to deploy in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of damage to the driver and passengers. On the other hand, the airbags might deploy for no apparent cause, resulting in an accident.
This is the latest in a long line of automotive calamities, the most recent of which being the Takata airbag debacle, which claimed the lives of 11 people, prompted a slew of lawsuits, and resulted in the recall of 24 million cars and counting. Takata and automakers, including Continental, were aware of the problem for years before announcing a recall.
Hold them to Account
According to The New York Times, this is a concerning trend in the business, according to Byron Bloch, a vehicle safety specialist located in Potomac, Maryland.
Mr. Bloch described the process as “conceal, postpone, deny.” “This should have been spotted ten, six years ago, before they were placed into automobiles.” However, millions of automobiles must now be recalled.”
Continental Automotive Systems is a division of Continental Automotive.
Continental Automotive Systems is the American division of Continental AG, which was formed in 1906 in Hannover, Germany. Continental AG is a global manufacturer of automotive equipment for cars. More than 208,000 individuals work for the organization in 55 countries. Continental reported $44 billion in worldwide revenues in 2015, according to company website.
Continental Airbag Units: A Problem
The Continental issue is particularly alarming for drivers because of its unpredictability. It’s bad enough that a corroded airbag control unit (ACU) may prevent the airbag from deploying in the case of a collision. Worse, the same malfunctioning equipment may randomly activate the airbag while a driver is driving, rather than in reaction to a collision or anything else.
The previous issue claimed the life of a teenage motorist in Belleview, Florida. According to the mother of the driver, her son crashed their 2008 Honda Accord into a concrete wall at 50 mph, and the airbags never deployed. (The driver’s mother refused to say how serious her son’s injuries were.)
Honda has acknowledged two defect-related injuries and claims that 74 injuries have been reported as a result of airbags that did not deploy.
The number of injuries caused by the malfunctioning airbags is unclear at this time. Chrysler has verified that seven minor injuries have occurred, but that no accidents have occurred as a result. In addition, the business has received complaints of up to 25 unintended airbag deployments, which it is looking into.
In the meanwhile, Honda has verified two defect-related injuries and claims there have been 74 injury complaints relating to airbags that did not deploy, although these occurrences have not been validated.
As more victims come forward and the number of recalled cars climbs, these figures are certain to rise in the coming months.
A Quick Overview of the Continental Airbag Scandal
Continental was aware of the malfunctioning airbags as early as 2008, according to records obtained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Continental received an airbag control unit (ACU) from Daimler on January 30, 2008, that had been removed from a car whose owner had reported a lit airbag warning light. Continental investigated the ACU and discovered that the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), the ACU’s lead power supply component, had failed.
Continental then sent the ASIC to Atmel for additional examination. The Atmel inquiry started in late March 2008, and the ASIC was found to be flawed. As a result, Atmel devised two countermeasures in order to lessen the chance of future ASIC failures. Customers were alerted of the investigation’s findings, as well as Atmel’s countermeasures and remedial action.
Continental, Atmel, and the impacted car manufacturers continued to track and evaluate field results, concluding that the countermeasures had greatly decreased the ASIC problem.
Continental learnt about two unintentional deployments in the field in early 2011, one from a Daimler car and the other from a Chrysler vehicle. Continental, Atmel, Chrysler, and Daimler kept looking into the problem and the possibility of an unintentional deployment.
Continental found in August 2011 that the unintentional deployments in Daimler and Chrysler cars were linked to the initial ASIC problem from 2008.
Outside of the United States, Daimler issued a recall in 2013. Daimler, on the other hand, delayed almost three years to recall American automobiles, putting drivers in risk.
Defend yourself
Honda reported accidents with airbags in 2008 Accords in 2015. Mercedes-Benz issued a recall for the impacted 2008 and 2009 C- and GLK-Class cars last October.
In February 2016, the recall was expanded to include the majority of the cars listed below.
BMW’s 7-series luxury limousines were added to the recall list in March.
Vehicles Affected
The Continental recall, although not as widespread as the Takata recall, nonetheless covers over five million cars globally, including around two million in the United States.
The Continental airbags were used by Honda, Fiat Chrysler Automotive, Mercedes-Benz, and Mazda. Volvo may potentially be impacted, although no recalls have been announced. Kia automobiles are not impacted, contrary to early reports.
The following models have been recalled thus far:
- Honda Accord 2008-2010
- Dodge Journey 2009
- Dodge Grand Caravan 2008-2009
- Chrysler Town and Country 2008-2009
- Routan, Volkswagen, 2009
- Mercedes-Benz C Class 2008-2009
- Mercedes-Benz GLK Class (2008-2009)
- Mazda Mazda6 2009-2010
- BMW 7-series 2016 (740Li, 750Li, 750 Lxi)
Out of the five million faulty airbag control units, the models indicated above account for just roughly 628,110 cars.
Volvo has also been alerted that certain of their vehicles have faulty airbag control modules, but no recall has been issued. According to them, a possible recall is “under investigation.”
What Does the Recall Imply?
The recall necessitates the repair of the affected cars (see above). If your car has been recalled, you should get a letter from the manufacturer with instructions on what to do next. Owners who want loaner automobiles for safety reasons may be able to get them, however it is not suggested that you deactivate your airbags.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives answers to frequently asked recall inquiries.
Continental is facing legal action as a result of defective airbags.
Continental, Atmel, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler, and Honda were named in a class action complaint filed in February by a Florida law firm (and their various parent companies). The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of American customers who own or lease impacted cars, and it seeks to hold these corporations liable for any and all losses caused by the faulty airbag systems.
Drivers of certain vehicles may be entitled for compensation for injuries or a variety of other damages, according to our experts at Morgan & Morgan. Breach of warranty, deceptive trade practice, breaches of the Magnuson-Moss Federal Warranty Act, and carelessness are just a few of the possible claims.
Morgan & Morgan has handled several mass-litigation cases involving automobiles, including claims involving Takata airbags, GM ignition switches, and Volkswagen emissions fraud. We have previously obtained jury verdicts and settlements against automakers, and our experience in this field, as well as the size and power of our company, make us particularly suited to handle complicated class action matters.
Our attorneys want to hear from you if you or someone you know acquired one of the automobiles mentioned above (see “Affected Vehicles”). Please get in touch with us right away and tell us about your experience. Don’t put it off; some instances are time-sensitive, and you might be eligible to compensation if you act quickly.
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The “lawsuits against car manufacturers” is a lawsuit filed by the Continental Airbags, which seeks to hold auto manufacturers responsible for defective airbags.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to replace Takata airbags?
A: Takata airbags need to be replaced every eight years, so it will take approximately 8 years.
How do you check if my airbags are recalled?
A: You can check if your car is affected by the Takata airbag recall at https://www.safercar.gov/.
Are Takata airbags still being used?
A: Takata airbags were phased out in the late 2000s, and as of now are not being used.
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