Florida Jury Awards $3M in Takata Airbag Case

A Florida jury has awarded $3 million to Jose Hernandez, a Miami resident who sustained serious injuries in a 2020 car accident involving a defective Takata airbag. The case marks one of the latest legal victories for consumers harmed by the now-infamous airbag manufacturer, whose faulty inflators have been linked to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide.

Hernandez was driving his 2005 Honda Civic when another vehicle struck him while he attempted a left turn. The impact triggered the airbag, but instead of providing protection, the Takata inflator exploded violently—launching a metal shard that lodged into Hernandez’s arm. The injury required emergency surgery and left him with permanent nerve damage and limited mobility.

The jury found both Takata and Honda partially liable, citing their failure to adequately warn consumers and address known safety risks. Although Honda had previously issued a recall for the vehicle, Hernandez’s legal team argued that the automaker had not made a sufficient effort to ensure affected drivers completed the necessary repairs.

Takata’s airbags, which used ammonium nitrate as a propellant, have been the subject of the largest automotive recall in U.S. history. When exposed to heat and humidity, the compound can destabilize, causing the inflator to rupture explosively. Millions of vehicles from numerous automakers have been impacted by the defect.

In its defense, Honda claimed it had mailed multiple recall notices to Hernandez, but the jury determined the company’s actions did not absolve it of responsibility. Jurors ultimately awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages.

Legal experts say the case underscores the continuing liability automakers face from legacy defects—even years after initial recalls are issued. It also highlights growing public expectations that manufacturers ensure their vehicles are not only built safely, but that recalls are enforced proactively.

For Hernandez, the lawsuit was not just about compensation. In a statement following the verdict, he said, “I brought this case to make sure this doesn’t happen to someone else. No one should suffer permanent injuries because a safety feature fails.”

The verdict may encourage other victims of defective airbags to come forward, especially those who missed recall opportunities or were unaware their vehicle was affected. Consumer safety advocates argue that more aggressive outreach efforts are needed, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather that exacerbates the airbag risk.

Honda and other automakers have faced thousands of similar lawsuits tied to Takata inflators. Although Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2017, cases continue to be litigated across the country. In many instances, carmakers are left to shoulder the legal and financial consequences.

As of now, Takata’s airbags have been linked to at least 27 deaths and over 400 injuries in the U.S. alone, with recalls still underway in many states. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has urged owners of affected vehicles to respond to recall notices and seek free replacements.