We expect the products we buy and consume to be safe for our use and consumption. Unfortunately, sometimes products can pose risks to our health or safety. When a potential risk associated with a product becomes known, it is common for the company that produces the product to issue a recall to help warn consumers of the potential hazards associated with the product. One type of product that is often the subject of recalls is automobiles. One of the biggest recalls involving automobiles has been for automobiles from various automakers that were produced with Takata airbags. Recently, GM issued a recall for 7 million of its vehicles worldwide in connection with the airbag recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ordered that GM recall 5.9 million vehicles because they contained Takata airbags. There was a defect associated with the Takata airbags that could cause the airbags to explode. When the airbags exploded, they could shoot shrapnel throughout the vehicle, which could lead to serious injuries and fatalities. The airbags have been linked to at least 17 fatalities in the United States, in addition to numerous injuries. The recalls involving Takata airbags began in 2014 and have impacted approximately 40 million vehicles in the United States.  The NHTSA ordered the recall after determining that the Takata airbags in the GM vehicles are at risk of the same type of explosion. GM has stated that it will abide by the order and begin taking the steps necessary to correct the issue.

The recall includes the Cadillac Escalade, the Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, the Chevrolet Tahoe, the GMC Sierra and the GMC Yukon with model years 2007 through 2014. GM plans to notify owners if their vehicle is included in the recall. Owners will be able to take their vehicles to GM dealerships where the potentially hazardous airbags will be replaced.