Subaru has issued an auto defect recall for a number of its 2012 Legacys and Outbacks due to potential airbag defects. According to Consumer Reports, the approximately 381 vehicles may have defective side curtain airbags that could fail to deploy during an accident. The vehicles involved in this recall were manufactured this past December with defective side air bag components. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that this auto defect may increase the risk of injury to drivers and passengers involved in a collision. When the recall begins in April, Subaru dealers will replace one or more of the defective side curtain air bag initiators at no cost to consumers.

Recent Airbag Recalls

Subaru is not the only automaker dealing with airbag defects in their vehicles. NHTSA recently announced auto defect recalls for a number of 2012 Honda and Toyota vehicles. Vehicles that were affected by those recalls include new Honda Civic sedans and Crosstour vehicles, and Toyota Rav4 SUVs and Camry sedans. Last month, the NHTSA also recalled 2006-2008 Kia Optima sedans and 2007-2008 Kia Rondo wagons for front airbag issues.

The Importance of Side Curtain Airbags

Side curtain airbags protect a vehicle’s occupants in broadside or T-bone crashes, which commonly occur at street intersections, when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield the right of way. According to NHTSA, approximately 62.5 percent of all fatal side-impact crashes each year are broadside accidents. These types of accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries or fatalities because the sides of a vehicle typically do not offer the same level of protection as the front or back during a collision. This is where side curtain airbags play a critical role. These airbags along with seatbelts offer that much-needed additional protection for vehicle occupants in side-impact collisions. However, when these airbags fail to deploy, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Auto Products Liability Issues

Anyone injured by a defective auto product would be well advised to speak with an experienced California personal injury lawyer, who has successfully handled auto products liability cases against large automakers. In cases involving a defective product, the at-fault manufacturer may be held liable for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, the cost of rehabilitation services, and other related damages. The best auto defect law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.