Florida has more registered vehicles than almost any other state, and for years it has also been one of the states most affected by defective airbag injuries. The Takata airbag recall — the largest automotive recall in U.S. history — hit Florida particularly hard because the state's heat and humidity accelerate the chemical degradation that makes certain inflators rupture violently instead of deploying safely.

If you or someone in your family was injured by a defective airbag — whether in a crash where the airbag deployed unexpectedly, deployed with excessive force, or failed to deploy at all — you may have a products liability claim that goes beyond a standard car accident case.

A properly functioning airbag deploys in milliseconds during a collision, cushioning the occupant from the steering wheel, dashboard, or side panel. When an airbag is defective, the failure can take several forms — each capable of causing serious or fatal injuries.

The Takata defect involved ammonium nitrate propellant that could absorb moisture over time, particularly in hot and humid climates. When the inflator ruptured, it could send metal shrapnel into the vehicle cabin at high velocity. Injuries from ruptured Takata inflators have included lacerations to the face, neck, and chest, eye injuries, and fatalities.

Florida's climate made it one of the highest-risk states for this specific defect. Vehicles in South Florida, the Treasure Coast, and other humid regions were flagged as priority recalls because the degradation process was accelerated by local conditions.

Some airbag defects cause the airbag to deploy without a collision — triggered by a minor bump, a pothole, or even vibration. An unexpected deployment at highway speed can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash that would not otherwise have occurred.

When an airbag fails to deploy during a collision that should have triggered it, the occupant absorbs impact forces that the airbag was designed to absorb. Non-deployment injuries can be severe, particularly in frontal crashes where the driver's head and chest strike the steering wheel or dashboard.

Some defects cause airbags to deploy with more force than intended, causing blunt trauma injuries to the face, chest, and arms — injuries that are sometimes more serious than the crash itself would have caused.

The Takata airbag recall affected tens of millions of vehicles across dozens of manufacturers. The recall has been ongoing for years, and replacement parts have not always been available immediately for every affected vehicle.

Key facts for Florida drivers:

• Check your vehicle: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains a recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov where you can enter your VIN to check whether your vehicle has an open recall.
• Open recalls remain dangerous: A recall announcement does not fix the problem. If your vehicle has an open Takata recall and the inflator has not been replaced, the risk remains.
• Used vehicle purchases: Buying a used car does not eliminate recall liability. If a dealer sold you a vehicle with an open safety recall, that may create additional legal issues.
• Recall completion is not a bar to injury claims: Even if a recall was announced before your injury, you may still have a claim if the defect caused harm.

Airbag injury cases are products liability cases. Unlike a standard car accident claim where the focus is on driver negligence, a products liability case focuses on the defect itself and the chain of responsibility for putting a dangerous product into the stream of commerce.

The company that designed, manufactured, or supplied the defective airbag component is typically the primary defendant in an airbag injury case. In Takata cases, the manufacturer filed for bankruptcy, but a trust was established to compensate victims. Other airbag manufacturers may face direct litigation.

The automaker that installed the defective airbag in the vehicle may also bear liability. Vehicle manufacturers have a duty to ensure that the components they install meet safety standards, and they may be liable for failing to act promptly on known defects.

In some cases, a dealership that sold a vehicle with a known open recall — particularly if the dealer was aware of the defect and failed to disclose it — may face liability.

If a vehicle was brought in for service and a technician failed to address a known recall or improperly installed a replacement inflator, the repair facility may bear responsibility for resulting injuries.

A products liability claim does not require proof that anyone was careless in the traditional negligence sense. It requires proof that the product was defective and that the defect caused the injury. Florida recognizes three types of product defects:

• Manufacturing defect: The specific product deviated from its intended design during production
• Design defect: The entire product line was designed in a way that made it unreasonably dangerous
• Failure to warn: The manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about known risks

Airbag cases most commonly involve design defects and failure to warn theories.

A negligence claim against the manufacturer or vehicle maker may also be available, particularly if the company knew about the defect and failed to act promptly to warn consumers or initiate a recall.

If a defective airbag caused a fatality, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim. Florida's Wrongful Death Act governs who can file and what damages are recoverable. See our Wrongful Death Lawyer Florida for more detail.

Airbag injuries can be catastrophic. The damages available in a products liability case may include:

• Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
• Future medical costs: Long-term care for permanent injuries, including vision loss, facial reconstruction, or neurological damage
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Time missed from work and reduced ability to earn in the future
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury
• Disfigurement: Scarring and permanent physical changes from shrapnel or blunt force injuries
• Wrongful death damages: If the defect caused a fatality

Timing matters in defective airbag cases. Florida's statute of limitations for products liability claims is generally four years from the date of injury. However, for negligence-based products liability claims arising after March 24, 2023, the two-year negligence deadline may apply depending on how the claim is framed.

There is also a statute of repose in Florida that can bar claims for products that have been in use for more than 12 years, with exceptions for cases involving fraud or concealment.

The interaction between the statute of limitations, the statute of repose, and the specific facts of an airbag injury case can be complex. An attorney should evaluate the timeline early to ensure no deadline is missed.

For a broader overview of Florida injury filing deadlines, see our guide on Florida Statutes 95.11.

Do not allow the vehicle to be repaired, scrapped, or returned to a dealer before the defective component is documented and preserved. The airbag inflator, housing, and surrounding components may be critical physical evidence.

Airbag injuries — particularly shrapnel injuries, eye injuries, and blunt force trauma — require prompt medical evaluation. Some injuries are not immediately apparent. Document all symptoms and follow through with specialist referrals.

Use the NHTSA VIN lookup tool to confirm whether your vehicle had an open recall at the time of the injury. Save that documentation.

Airbag cases involve manufacturers, insurers, and sometimes bankruptcy trusts — all of which have legal teams working to limit their exposure. An experienced Florida products liability attorney can evaluate the defect, identify all responsible parties, and build a case that accounts for the full scope of your injuries.

Can I still file a claim if the recall was announced before my injury? Yes. A recall announcement does not fix the problem or eliminate liability. If the defect was present in your vehicle at the time of the injury, you may still have a valid claim.

What if the manufacturer filed for bankruptcy? Takata filed for bankruptcy, but a compensation trust was established for victims. An attorney can evaluate whether your claim qualifies for trust compensation or whether other defendants remain available.

What if I bought the car used and didn't know about the recall? You may still have a claim. The seller, dealer, or manufacturer may bear responsibility depending on what they knew and when.

Does my car insurance cover airbag injuries? Standard auto insurance typically covers collision damage, not product defect injuries. A products liability claim is separate from your auto insurance claim.

How long do I have to file? Generally four years from the date of injury for products liability claims, but the specific deadline depends on how the claim is framed and when the injury occurred. Do not wait — consult an attorney promptly.

If you or a family member was injured by a defective or recalled airbag anywhere in Florida — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, the Treasure Coast, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or Fort Myers — Juan Cordero Lawyers can evaluate your products liability claim and help you understand your options. Contact us for a free consultation.