Arizona Settles With Honda For $5M In Airbag Lawsuit: Attorney

ARIZONA — Honda has settled with the state of Arizona to the tune of $5 million in a lawsuit alleging the auto-maker failed to warn consumers about defective airbags.

The company used Takata airbag inflators in select Honda and Acura cars manufactured between 2001 and 2016. The inflators had the potential to rupture and launch metal shrapnel at passengers, according to Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

“Defective Takata airbags have hurt and killed Arizonans and continue to be a serious hazard,” Brnovich said in a statement. “We estimate more than 40,000 of these dangerous airbags are still on the roads in Arizona, and we are pleading with the owners to get their vehicles repaired immediately."

The defects have caused over 200 injuries and 15 deaths nationwide, with two deaths occurring in Arizona.

About $1.65 million of the settlement will go directly to affected Arizonans. The rest of the settlement will go towards gift cards encouraging customers to repair their cars, outreach to inform Arizonans about the recall and payment to the state. Over 15,000 Arizonans that purchased a Honda or Acura car with the faulty airbag between September 2012 and November 2015 will receive a $100 check.

Brnovich argued that Honda should have warned its customers about the potential risks before 2012, but notices weren't sent out until 2015. Takata was fined $200 million by federal regulators and later filed for bankruptcy.

Honda previously reached a settlement with a group of states for over $96 million, according to CBS News, but Arizona chose to prosecute separately to get restitution for injured customers.

Consumers who own a Honda or Acura can visit Honda’s airbag recall website or call its Customer Service toll-free number at (888) 234-2138, to see if their vehicle is subject to a recall. Cars will be repaired for free under the settlement.