Why did Takata airbags fail?
Regulators determined that the potentially deadly flaw in the Takata airbag lies in the airbag’s propellant. To inflate the airbags, Takata used an ammonium nitrate compound without a drying agent. However, this propellant can burn too fast and cause the inflator to explode.
What went wrong with Takata?
9, 2018: Takata expanded its already massive recall by an additional 3.3 million airbag inflators over the same concerns that they might explode and spray dangerous metal fragments into the vehicle’s cabin. This was the third of five planned recalls. More vehicles are scheduled to be recalled later.
What is the issue with Takata airbags?
Overview. Approximately 67 million Takata air bags (priority groups 1-12) have been recalled because these air bags can explode when deployed, causing serious injury or even death. All vehicle owners should: Check for Recalls using your vehicle identification number (VIN).
Why did Takata use ammonium nitrate?
Alby Berman, a spokesman for Takata, said the switch to an ammonium-nitrate-based propellant was not driven by cost considerations. Instead, the company’s engineers determined that the compound produced gas more efficiently with fewer emissions.
What chemicals did Takata use?
In the late 1990s, Takata made ammonium nitrate the chemical-of-choice for its airbag inflator design, said Siebert, who was advising for the airbag market in Europe at the time. The compound went into cars including BMW 2000 BMW 3 Series, 2001 Honda Accord and Civic and 2001 Nissan Maxima and Pathfinder.
Did Takata go out of business?
Takata Corporation (タカタ株式会社, Takata Kabushiki Gaisha) was a Japanese automotive parts company….Takata Corporation.
| Native name | タカタ株式会社 |
|---|---|
| Defunct | 11 April 2018 |
| Fate | Acquired by Key Safety Systems |
| Successor | Joyson Safety Systems |
| Headquarters | Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-8488 , Japan |
What was the chemical reaction involved with Takata?
The thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate into water vapor and nitrous oxide is the reaction that Takata used to inflate the airbags that eventually were recalled.
Why do automakers only recall the airbags in the high humidity area?
States with high humidity are prioritized in the Takata airbag recall because the ammonium nitrate in Takata airbags may degrade when exposed to the moisture present in hot and humid climates. The failure to include a drying agent in the airbag compounded the problem, creating a risk of rupture upon deployment.
What is the propellant in airbags?
The azide-containing pyrotechnic gas generators contain a substantial amount of the propellant. The driver-side airbag would contain a canister containing about 50 grams of sodium azide. The passenger side container holds about 200 grams of sodium azide.
Who bought Takata?
Key Safety Systems
Joyson, formerly known as Key Safety Systems, purchased Takata’s assets for $1.6 billion in 2018. Just last week, NHTSA said it is investigating a new wave of possibly flawed airbags in older-model vehicles, once again linking Joyson to past Takata problems, regardless of what NHTSA’s investigation determines.
Does Toyota still use Takata airbags?
Several Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models have defective Takata airbags and are subject to a recall. Many Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicle models have defective Takata airbags and are subject to a recall. There may be additional recalls coming.