Four of the world’s largest automakers—Toyota, BMW, Subaru, and Mazda—have agreed to a $553 million settlement to resolve economic damage claims caused by defective Takata airbags.
The airbags, responsible for the largest automotive recall in U.S. history, have been linked to catastrophic injuries and fatalities across the country, including in Kentucky.
More than 100 million airbags worldwide were recalled after they were found to explode without warning.
When the inflators rupture, they send sharp metal fragments into vehicle cabins—injuring drivers, passengers, and even children in car seats.
These defective airbags have been linked to:
Victims have suffered:
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to an airbag explosion, you may have grounds to pursue a product liability claim.
Becker Law Office has extensive experience with defective product injuries and consumer mass torts in Kentucky and nationwide.
Although over 100 million Takata airbags were recalled, the current settlement covers only 32 million of them.
The settlement benefits those who own or lease affected Toyota, BMW, Subaru, or Mazda vehicles by providing:
If settlement funds remain, owners and lessees of affected vehicles may receive up to $500 per person.
This settlement does not include:
Those claims must be pursued separately through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, especially if a Takata airbag caused severe bodily harm.
Ford, Honda, and Nissan did not join this settlement.
The class-action lawsuit against these manufacturers remains ongoing, and drivers with affected vehicles may still qualify for future compensation.
One major goal of the settlement is to accelerate airbag replacements, as manufacturers have fallen far behind.
Out of 100 million dangerous airbags, only 14 million have been replaced.
Lead counsel Peter Prieto explained:
“The low number of recalls to-date demonstrates the need for a settlement of this type, and we look forward to accelerating the removal of defective Takata airbags from the roads.”
This delay means millions of drivers still face the risk of catastrophic injury or death.
Even now, none of the participating automakers have replaced even one-third of the airbags under recall, leaving thousands of Kentucky drivers and families exposed to defective safety devices.
The proposed settlement must be approved by a federal judge, which industry observers expect to happen.
Once approved, affected vehicle owners will receive more information about eligibility and how to file claims.
You can find out whether the airbags in your vehicles are affected by this recall by checking https://www.safercar.gov/.
Consumers may find additional information about the Takata MDL economic loss settlement at https://www.autoairbagsettlement.com or by calling 888-735-5596.
