If you’re still unconvinced, let us share the basic, no-nonsense version of the issue. You’re driving with a bomb in the car, as the parts and propellant Takata used in the airbag’s construction will break down over time, especially if the vehicle is subjected to temperature fluctuations. Instead of providing a cushy landing place for your head, a part within the assembly explodes, shooting shrapnel throughout the cabin.
The NHTSA filmed a Takata airbag explosion five years ago, and you can watch the result below.
Keep in mind that this problem only gets worse as time goes by. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of an airbag exploding in your face. It has reached a point where something as survivable as a fender bender can potentially kill. The seatbelt will save your life, but the potential explosion could do the opposite.
