The largest automotive recall in U.S. history got even larger this week.
Consumer watch dog groups say as many as 80-million cars in the US may have defective Takata airbags.
But as Five on your Side learned, there's no easy, immediate fix and some motorists are stuck waiting months for repairs.
Even though many people got their recall notices last May, some still haven't been able to get their airbags replaced because a parts shortage.
“It was very disappointing to find out it could kill me!” said Kathy Bivers of Swansea, Illinois.
These days, Biver’s 2008 mustang sees more of the garage, than the open road
Biver's fear is not misplaced. Forteen automakers have recalled 28 million U.S. vehicles to replace inflators in the airbags. Regulators say those airbags could explode upon impact, sending shrapnel into the front seats.
“Even if I drive carefully and someone else hits me, it could be a bad situation,” said Bivers.
Bivers got the notice for the recall on her mustang's airbags more than a year ago. But just a few months ago, her husband's Honda Fit also got that same recall notice. She says local dealerships haven't been able to outfit either vehicle with new airbags.
“They say they still have no parts available and they don't know when they're going to get anything in. I was just there last week and asked them again,” said Bivers.
We reached out to Dave Sinclair Ford and Meyers Honda, where Bivers says she hasn’t been able to get her airbags fixed. Both told us the high number of recalls means the new Takata part that fixes the problem is in short supply. Takata has ramped up production, but experts say It could take the company up to two years to make enough parts to fix all the affected cars.
Meyer Honda in O'fallon, Illinois says Honda is offering rental cars for some of their customers who don't feel comfortable driving their car while waiting for airbag repairs.
To find out if your car is on that recall list- go to www.SaferCar.gov
