Fake Test Data Used by Takata According to Reports

According to a recent report released Tuesday, Takata used fake data regarding their new components a year after the company’s airbag inflators were recalled. The company is accused of falsifying their data to Honda, Takata’s largest customer. This coincides with what investigators were labeling a “pattern of deceit” at the hands of Takata.

The reports discussed internal documents that allegedly showed Takata engineers in America felt as though they were pressured by their Japanese counterparts to proceed with production even though they felt the product was highly likely to fail. This incident was after the Takata airbag inflators were recalled and associated with multiple deaths already.

The Senate report also discussed a 2013 internal note from a Takata manager warning the company that they had used inaccurate information regarding one of the recalls.

Airbag inflators made by Takata have been linked to over 100 injuries and 10 deaths. They have seen 28 million of their products recalled and that number is only going to grow with countless more vehicles using this product still on the road. The root cause of the malfunction has been cited as the presence of ammonium nitrate that is used as the inflator’s propellant.

Last year, Takata was fined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the amount of $70 million for their inaction in reporting the defect.

If you were injured because of a defective Takata airbag inflator, you may have a claim to seek compensation. Our product liability attorneys at Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC are determined to hold negligent manufacturers accountable for their actions. These manufacturers have a duty to provide consumers with a safe product. When this does not happen, serious injuries can occur. Call us today to determine if you may have a product liability case or to discuss a defective Takata product.