The 28th death linked to a Takata air bag has been confirmed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA. 

NHTSA told Newsweek the 2018 incident happened in Alabama and involved a Honda. 

“The agency’s deepest sympathies go to the family for their loss, and we continue our efforts to prevent all such tragedies,” NHTSA said in an email to Newsweek. “This incident underscores the importance of replacing every recalled Takata air bag,” 

Honda also told Newsweek that the victim was driving a 2004 Honda Civic. The company said the airbag deployed during a high-speed crash. 

Approximately 67 million air bags used by 19 OEMs have been recalled because the air bags can explode when deployed, causing serious injuries or death. The inflators use phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate as a propellant that has been known to result in violent explosions and send metal shrapnel into the faces of vehicle occupants.

The OEM has confirmed 20 deaths and more than 200 injuries in the U.S. related to Takata airbags, according to its website. 

About 16.9 million Taka inflators have been replaced due to Honda and Acura recalls, the website says. It says the repair completion rate is at 95.1% nationwide. 

Honda vehicles that could be equipped with a recalled Takata airbag inflator include: 

• • 2001-2002 Honda Accord
  • 2001-2002 Honda Civic
  • 2002 Honda CR-V
  • 2002 Honda Odyssey
  • 2003 Honda Pilot
  • 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL
  • 2003 Acura 3.2CL

Ford Motor Co. and Mazda North American Operations have issued a “do not drive” warning for more than 457,000 vehicles equipped with recalled Takata air bags last month.  General Motors (GM) also issued a recall for more than 900 vehicles equipped with Takata air bags last month. NHTSA said certain model year 2013 Buick Veranos and three Chevrolets — the Volt, Sonic, and Camaro — are under recall.

Collision repairers can check a customer’s vehicle for recalls through multiple tools including NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool. The tool can be used by entering the vehicle’s license plate number, VIN or Year Make and Model. 

When searching by license plate or VIN, the tool will provide specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall, according to the site. When searching by a vehicle’s year, make and model, or for car seats, tires or equipment, you’ll get general results for recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications.

Repairers can also stay up-to-date on recalls by signing up for NHTSA’s alerts email at NHTSA.gov/Alerts.

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