Did you know that there is currently no federal law in place that requires a rental company to inform a driver that the car they are renting is under a safety recall? On Wednesday, July 15, 2015, the United States Senate is examining legislation that would change this. This is the direct result of the airbag recall from Takata Corp., which has thus far recalled 57 million airbags across the globe, with 34 million in the United States alone. This airbag recall is the largest in United States history.

Takata Airbags Result in Injury & Death

The Takata airbags have caused eight known deaths from their deployment. At least one of the victims of the airbag deployment was driving a rental car at the time of the accident. By law, auto manufacturers must repair any known defects to a motor vehicle before it can be sold. Car rental companies, by contrast, do not have to repair any safety defects before allowing a car to be rented out for use. There is no federal or legal consequences for renting a vehicle with a known safety concern.

Takata airbags have been found in numerous models, including:

• BMW
• Chrysler
• Ford
• General Motors
• Honda
• Mazda
• Mitsubishi
• Nissan
• Subaru
• Toyota

This new legislation, introduced by Senator John Thune, would require rental companies to disclose all defects in a vehicle before renting it out, but would not require that they fix the defect. Some legislators think this is not enough. They believe that more needs to be done by the rental companies without shifting that responsibility onto the consumer.

If you or a loved one have been affected by a lemon, you should speak with an attorney from Norman Taylor & Associates right away. We can work on your behalf by speaking with the manufacturer or car dealer first and pursuing legal actions second. With us, you can get the resolution you need! Find out more by speaking with our team in a complimentary consultation!