DMV Efforts Prompt More Than 10,000 Car Owners to Get Dangerous Air Bags Replaced
Pre-Inspection Check Added to Spur Repairs
More than 10,000 car owners have heeded warnings from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and got their Takata air bags safely replaced.
The DMV has taken an innovative approach to ensuring airbags subject to the most severe recall notice, a “Do Not Drive" warning, are repaired prior to commencement of the annual state-required safety inspection.
DMV will not allow a vehicle subject to a Do Not Drive warning to be inspected unless the dangerous airbag has been replaced.
Do Not Drive warnings for a total of 10,711 vehicles have been resolved since DMV implemented this practice about three years ago, with more than 900 vehicles resolved in just the last month.
Repairs are free and vehicles can be towed to a dealership at no cost to the motorist. Many manufacturers have mobile options where the required repair can be done without traveling to the dealer.
“Safety on the roads is our top priority, and that is why New York has a rigorous safety inspection for each vehicle registered in New York. We have leveraged that program to ensure these most critical repairs are completed. Vehicle equipment safety is not optional in New York,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt. “We’re glad to see our efforts worked, people heeded the Do Not Drive warnings, and now 10,000 vehicle owners, their passengers, and all road users are safer as a direct result.”
The Takata airbag recall is the largest single recall in U.S. history, affecting roughly 67 million airbags. The airbags can explode, sending sharp metal fragments flying at 200 miles per hour. Each year, more vehicles are subject to the Do Not Drive warning as the condition of the airbags deteriorates. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 28 people have been killed by defective Takata airbags.
New York was the first state in the nation to alert motorists to recalls affecting their vehicles at each safety inspection. This information is contained on each Vehicle Inspection Report, which a motorist receives upon completion of their annual safety inspection.
Vehicle owners can use our online tool to identify open recalls. Information is instantly available regarding how to fix or replace the part(s) free of charge. Owners will need their license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The 17-character VIN is on the car’s registration or insurance card and on the driver's side of the dashboard near the windshield or on the driver's side doorjamb. Motorists can also sign up for Recall Alerts.
In addition to recalls on parts of the vehicles, consumers should also be aware that child car seats, tires and vehicle-related equipment, such as bike racks, can also be subject to recalls. If any of these items are affected, manufacturers must repair or replace the item or offer a refund. New Yorkers can check for such product recalls on the National Highway Transportation Safety website.
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