---
title: "Takata Exploding Airbag Linked to Death of Teenager"
description: "Honda Accord driver died in July after the car’s airbag exploded; it’s the eighth U.S. death attributed to a faulty Takata inflator."
date: "2015-12-24"
modified: "2015-12-24"
authors:
  - name: "Max Prince"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/max-prince"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/1446/takata-exploding-airbag-linked-to-death-of-teenager"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "takata"
---

# Takata Exploding Airbag Linked to Death of Teenager

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*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says [it has connected an eighth U.S. death](<https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-23/eighth-u-s-fatality-linked-to-faulty-takata-air-bag-nhtsa-says>) to a ruptured airbag manufactured by Japanese supplier Takata. NHTSA’s communications director, Gordon Trowbridge, says the driver of a 2001 Honda Accord died in July after the car’s Takata airbag exploded during an accident near Pittsburg. Trowbridge also confirmed that the driver was a teenager.

Some 23 million airbag inflators from [Takata have been recalled](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-takata-takata-idUSKBN0O42QX20150520>) since 2008, when it was discovered that they may produce excessive pressure, rupture, and spray metal shrapnel. Roughly 19 million vehicles from a dozen automakers are affected, making this the largest automotive recall in U.S. history. More than 100 people have been injured thus far.

A wide range of models is affected, most from 2000-2011, including BMW, Chevy, Chrysler, Daimler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda/Acura, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan/Infiniti, Pontiac, Saab, Subaru, and Toyota/Lexus. As of Wednesday, [Honda has expanded its Takata recall](<https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1101566_honda-adds-127000-vehicles-to-takata-airbag-recall-accord-civic-cr-v-odyssey-pilot-more>), as has NHTSA, which [now includes](<https://www.cars.com/articles/nhtsa-adds-more-honda-subaru-mazda-cars-to-takata-airbag-recalls-1420683011644/>) passenger side airbags on the ‘05-‘08 Mazda Mazda6, the ’02-’04 Honda CR-V and ’05-’08 Subaru Legacy/Outback.

How can you make sure you’re car’s safe? First, run the VIN through [safecar.gov](<https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/>)’s search engine. Then do the same for your parents. And kids. And friends. Also, know that cars in high-humidity climates are much more likely to be affected by a rupturing Takata inflator.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/themaxprince>)