GREENSBORO, N.C. — Take a look at the roads and it's hard to tell, but thousands of people in Greensboro are driving around with something really dangerous in their vehicle. According to CARFAX, 41,000 vehicles in Greensboro still need to have their Takata airbags replaced. And across North Carolina, that's 216,000 of these airbags still on the road.
Here's a quick reminder of why this is so important. Humidity in the air can make Takata airbags break down over time, so when they go off small pieces of metal can shoot out at your face. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 27 people have died because of this defect.
“I think there are owners who get a recall notice. They know what it is, put it down, and say, ‘well, I'll get to it.’ Time goes by, nothing goes wrong with their car. And they think, well, I must be out of the woods by now. And nothing could be further from the truth,” said Patrick Olsen with CARFAX.
That also means that these cars could be for sale across the Triad with defective airbags, so before you buy a used car, CARFAX says it's really important to do this one step:
“Take it to a mechanic that you trust. Not only will they put it up on the lift and see things you can't see. They understand what they're seeing in a way that you won't,” Olsen said.
And remember you can get your Takata airbag replaced for free. Just call the dealership to schedule a time.