Lemon Law News – Daimler Vans Found Containing Bad Takata Airbags
Jeep Renegades Show Software Problems
Daimler Vans issued three recalls on July 28, 2017 showing the Takata scandal is far from over.
The manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) they will recall 81,963 vehicles as they contain the now infamous defective Takata airbag inflators. Affected vehicles include the 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 2500, 2007-2009 Dodge Sprinter 3500, 2007-2012 Freightliner Sprinter 2500, 2007-2012 Freightliner Sprinter 3500, 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500.
Think you have a lemon, click here to fill out a 60 second form.
The affected vehicles contain Takata-manufactured airbag inflators which use non-desiccated phased-stabilized ammonium nitrate as a propellant.
The inflators consist of a metal cartridge loaded with propellant wafers. A crash ignites the propellant, expanding the airbags. However, the recalled inflators can rupture, sending metal shards into the car’s passenger cabin. These shards can injure or kill occupants. An NPR report said 17 deaths, including 11 Americans, are linked to this defect. Takata-related incidents have also caused 180 injuries worldwide so far.
Takata filed for bankruptcy on June 26, 2017, while still facing billions of dollars in lawsuits over the defective inflators.
Key Safety Systems, a U.S.-based auto component company, bought Takata’s non-airbag related assets for $1.6 billion shortly after Takata filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Daimler Vans will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Note: This recall supersedes recall 17V-025. Concerned owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide the loss value of your recalled vehicle, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you.
Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.
Please consider adding lemonlawusa.org to your bookmarks or sign up for our free subscription service allowing you to keep up with the latest information about automotive recalls and warranty information.