Bilirakis Fights for Automotive Safety, Questions Witnesses from Takata, NHTSA

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, today questioned witnesses, including Kevin Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Takata, about the failure of Takata airbags and the recall of millions of vehicles in the United States.

"This is a fundamental issue of safety," Bilirakis said. "Americans must be able to trust that the cars they drive are safe. Instead, nearly one in seven vehicles has been recalled due to a potentially fatal airbag. A number of Floridians have been killed or seriously injured due to these flaws. In fact, after I questioned him in December, Honda's Executive Vice President, Rick Schostek, made this alarming admission: ‘we believe the risk is highest,' in Florida. Despite the continued excuses from Takata Executives, I don't think there is any excuse for not solving this problem for over a decade. Lives are at stake," continued Bilirakis.

To date, approximately 34 million vehicles in the United States have been recalled – the largest automotive recall in the United States' history. Reportedly, there have been 6 deaths and over 100 injuries that have been linked to the flaw. A number of these incidents and deaths have occurred in Florida.

To view Representative Bilirakis' full remarks, click here and here. To see if your vehicle is eligible for a partial or total recall, click here.