Takata manufactured the airbag inflators at the center of the global recalls that began in the 2010s.
Takata supplied inflators to many automakers worldwide. In some units, propellant degradation could make the inflator rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the vehicle cabin. High humidity and long-term exposure were important risk factors in the most affected regions.
The recalls expanded across multiple vehicle brands and became one of the largest automotive safety campaigns ever recorded. Several deaths and many injuries were linked to rupturing inflators. Takata entered bankruptcy protection in 2017, and its remaining assets were acquired by Key Safety Systems.
The Takata case is distinct from recalls involving faulty airbag sensors or deployment software. The central problem was the inflator’s explosive rupture, not simply an airbag failing to open.