Takata

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Japanese automotive safety systems manufacturer, bankrupt due to airbag recalls.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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Overview

Takata Corporation was a Japanese automotive components manufacturer best known for producing airbags, seat belts, child-restraint systems, steering wheels, and related occupant-protection equipment. Founded in Shiga Prefecture in 1933 by Takezo Takada, the business initially made parachute lifelines and other textile products before moving into automotive safety. It began researching seat belts in the 1950s, commercialized seat belts during the 1960s, and built Japan's first crash-test facility for evaluating seat-belt performance in realistic collisions. During the 1970s it expanded into child restraints, and in the 1980s it adopted the Takata Corporation name while developing international operations in markets including South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The company became a major global supplier to vehicle manufacturers. Its product portfolio included seat belts and pretensioners, airbags and inflators, steering wheels, child-safety seats, and other interior or restraint components. The 2000 acquisition of German competitor Petri AG broadened Takata's European activities and added steering-wheel and plastic-component capabilities. Takata subsequently operated manufacturing facilities on several continents, with European operations headquartered in Germany. By 2014, it was reported to hold approximately 20 percent of the global airbag market. Takata had already faced a significant safety problem involving seat-belt buckles. A U.S. investigation in the 1990s found that plastic components in certain 52X and A7X buckles could deteriorate after prolonged ultraviolet exposure, causing latching or release failures. A large voluntary recall began in 1995 and involved millions of vehicles from numerous Japanese and other manufacturers. The episode foreshadowed later concerns about defect reporting, quality control, and recall execution. The company's defining crisis involved ammonium-nitrate airbag inflators manufactured at or associated with Takata's Monclova, Mexico, plant. Under conditions involving moisture, heat, and age, some inflators could deploy with excessive force and rupture, projecting metal fragments into the passenger compartment. Automakers began announcing major recalls in 2013 and 2014 after deaths and injuries were linked to the devices. Investigations also identified mishandled propellant and chemical storage, incomplete quality records, and concerns about Takata's internal reporting and testing practices. The United States ultimately ordered a nationwide recall covering tens of millions of vehicles, while manufacturers and regulators in many other countries expanded their own campaigns. The recall grew to more than 100 million inflators worldwide and affected more than 20 automakers. It was associated with numerous deaths and hundreds of injuries, although totals varied by jurisdiction and continued to change as later incidents were identified. Takata admitted wrongdoing in the United States in 2017 and agreed to a $1 billion resolution consisting of criminal and civil components, including victim compensation and payments to automakers. Three Takata executives were also charged in the United States. Unable to meet its compensation, litigation, and recall-related obligations, Takata filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan and for Chapter 11 protection in the United States in June 2017. Its remaining assets were sold to Key Safety Systems, a Michigan-based company owned by China's Ningbo Joyson Electronic, in a transaction reported at approximately $1.6 billion. The acquired operations were subsequently renamed Joyson Safety Systems. Takata as an independent corporate entity is therefore defunct, although replacement campaigns and legal consequences connected with its products have continued for years after the acquisition.

History

Takata began in 1933 in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, as a textile-oriented business founded by Takezo Takada. Its early products included parachute lifelines and related textiles. The company shifted toward automotive safety during the postwar period, beginning seat-belt research in the 1950s. In the 1960s it started selling seat belts and constructed Japan's first crash-test plant dedicated to evaluating seat belts under collision conditions. During the 1970s Takata added child-restraint systems, extending its role from textile manufacture into occupant protection. In the 1980s the company became Takata Corporation and pursued overseas growth. It established or expanded operations in South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom, eventually developing production and engineering capabilities on four continents. A major step in Europe came in 2000, when Takata acquired German competitor Petri AG. The resulting Takata-Petri organization produced steering wheels and plastic components in addition to conventional restraint products; it was renamed Takata AG in 2012. Takata encountered an important early safety controversy in the United States during the 1990s. Investigations into Honda vehicles found that certain Takata seat-belt buckles could fail to latch, release unexpectedly, or malfunction in a crash. The problem was linked to degradation of ABS plastic after extended ultraviolet exposure, with fragments potentially obstructing the release mechanism. A recall announced in 1995 ultimately covered more than eight million vehicles and involved at least 11 manufacturers, including Japanese brands and vehicles produced by Japanese affiliates for American brands. The slow completion of the campaign and penalties for delayed defect notification highlighted weaknesses in recall management. Takata began manufacturing airbags in 1988 and became a substantial supplier to global vehicle manufacturers. Its later collapse was caused by a different and much more serious defect involving airbag inflators. Inflators made at or connected with the company's Monclova, Mexico, plant used a propellant whose performance could deteriorate in the presence of moisture, heat, and aging. In a crash, some inflators deployed with excessive force and ruptured, sending metal fragments through the airbag cushion. Early incidents were concentrated in older vehicles and humid or hot regions, but the potential hazard eventually led to worldwide campaigns. During 2013 and 2014, automakers announced successive recalls involving millions of vehicles. Takata acknowledged problems involving improperly handled propellant and chemical storage at its Mexican subsidiary, while investigators also raised concerns about incomplete quality records and the company's response to defect information. In November 2014, the U.S. regulator ordered a nationwide recall. The campaign expanded repeatedly: by 2015 it involved tens of millions of vehicles, and in 2016 the regulator announced an additional estimated 35 to 40 million inflators. More than 20 automakers were eventually involved, with campaigns continuing across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and other markets. The safety crisis produced criminal, civil, and product-liability consequences. In January 2017, U.S. authorities charged three Takata executives. Takata agreed to plead guilty and pay $1 billion, including a criminal fine, compensation for victims, and payments to automakers. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan and Chapter 11 protection in the United States on June 25, 2017. Its remaining assets were sold to Key Safety Systems for a reported approximately $1.6 billion. Following completion of the acquisition in 2018, the business was renamed Joyson Safety Systems. Although Takata ceased operating as an independent company, replacement recalls, litigation, and investigations continued. Later incidents included additional deaths, further do-not-drive notices, and reports in 2021 that former Takata operations had falsified large numbers of seat-belt safety-test records.

2021
Former operations report falsified test data
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Joyson announces that it discovered more than a thousand cases of falsified Takata seat-belt safety-test data.
2018
Operations become Joyson Safety Systems
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Key Safety Systems completes its acquisition of Takata's remaining operations, which are renamed Joyson Safety Systems.
2017
Criminal resolution and bankruptcy
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Three executives are charged in the United States, Takata agrees to a $1 billion resolution, and the company files for bankruptcy protection.
2016
Additional tens of millions of inflators recalled
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
NHTSA announces campaigns covering an estimated additional 35 to 40 million inflators.
2014
U.S. nationwide recall ordered
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration orders a nationwide recall of vehicles with potentially defective Takata airbags.
2013
Airbag recall crisis becomes public
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Automakers begin recalling millions of vehicles after deaths and injuries are associated with Takata inflators.
2000
Petri AG acquired
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Takata acquires German competitor Petri AG, expanding its steering-wheel and plastic-component operations in Europe.
1995
Large U.S. seat-belt buckle recall
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
A recall covers more than eight million vehicles equipped with certain Takata seat-belt buckles.
1988
Airbag production begins
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Takata enters airbag manufacturing and later becomes a major global supplier.
1970
Child restraints added
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Takata develops child-restraint systems, broadening its occupant-protection portfolio.
1960
Seat-belt sales and crash testing expand
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
The company begins selling seat belts and builds Japan's first crash-test facility for seat-belt evaluation.
1950
Seat-belt research begins
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Takata starts researching automotive seat belts as it moves toward vehicle safety products.
1933
Takata is founded in Japan
[1]Takata Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Takezo Takada establishes the company in Shiga Prefecture, initially producing parachute lifelines and other textile goods.

Products and positioning

Automotive safety systems supplier

Automotive safety systems · 1988
Airbags and inflators
Takata manufactured airbags and the inflator modules that rapidly filled them during a collision. Airbag inflators became the company's most consequential product category because certain units could rupture during deployment, projecting metal fragments into vehicle occupants. The defect generated recalls involving more than 100 million inflators worldwide.
Automotive restraint systems · 1960
Seat belts and pretensioners
Seat belts were Takata's foundational automotive safety product. The company researched them from the 1950s, sold them from the 1960s, and developed related pretensioning and restraint technologies. Certain older Takata buckles were recalled in the United States in the 1990s after deterioration of plastic components could interfere with latching or release functions.
Child safety equipment · 1970
Child-restraint systems
Takata expanded into child-restraint systems during the 1970s. These products extended the company's occupant-protection offering beyond vehicle-integrated restraints to equipment intended to protect children in passenger vehicles.
Automotive interior components · 2000
Steering wheels and plastic components
Following the acquisition of Petri AG, Takata's European operations produced steering wheels and plastic parts as well as restraint equipment. These activities served automotive manufacturers and broadened the company beyond airbags and seat belts.

Controversies

2021
Falsified seat-belt safety-test data
Joyson Safety Systems reported discovering more than a thousand cases in which seat-belt safety-test data had been falsified in former Takata operations.
Source
2021
Volkswagen agrees to $42 million Takata airbag settlement
Volkswagen's U.S. unit agreed to a $42 million settlement covering 1.35 million vehicles equipped with faulty Takata airbag inflators. The settlement provides for reimbursement of specified owner costs, and a large portion of the funds will be used to boost recall completion rates.
Source
2021
Nissan South Africa recalls vehicles for Takata airbag fix
Nissan South Africa issued a recall of several older vehicle models affected by Takata airbags and directed owners to take their vehicles to a Nissan dealership for an airbag fix. The article does not disclose the number of affected vehicles.
Source
2021
Ford recalls vehicles over potentially missing Takata airbags
Ford announced a recall after discovering that 45 airbags were missing from stock service parts that were supposed to be purged. The potentially affected vehicles include Ford Rangers and other models; owners were to receive notices and vehicles would be inspected and replaced if airbags were found.
Source
2020
Nissan recalls vehicles for Takata airbag inflator replacement
Nissan announced a recall of nearly 308,000 U.S. vehicles to replace Takata airbag inflators that can explode and hurl shrapnel. Dealers were to begin replacing the inflators on February 10. The recall concerns Takata airbag inflators identified as capable of exploding and projecting shrapnel, and the remedy was scheduled to start at dealerships on the stated date.
Source
2020
Another wave of Takata airbag inflators requires repair
The article reported that another 10 million airbag inflators made by Takata had to be repaired as part of the ongoing auto-industry recall. The supplied excerpt does not state when this repair requirement took effect.
Source
2020
GM announces global Takata air-bag inflator recall
General Motors announced a worldwide recall of about 7 million pickup trucks and SUVs to replace potentially dangerous Takata air-bag inflators. The recall covers specified 2007–2014 model-year vehicles. NHTSA concluded the inflators were at risk of exploding after long-term exposure to high heat and humidity.
Source
2020
Honda and Mitsubishi recall vehicles fitted with Takata NADI 5-AT airbags
Honda and Mitsubishi commenced voluntary recalls of vehicles manufactured between 1996 and 2000 because faulty Takata NADI 5-AT airbags may misdeploy and propel metal fragments or under-inflate. Mitsubishi and Honda offered to buy back affected vehicles and provide alternative transport options.
Source
2019
ACCC classifies affected Takata airbag vehicles as critical
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission classified the recall of 20,000 vehicles fitted with faulty Takata airbags as "critical" and urged motorists not to drive affected cars until the airbags were replaced.
Source
2019
BMW Australia recalls E46 3 Series cars over Takata airbags
BMW in Australia began a voluntary recall of E46 3 Series cars produced between November 1997 and June 2000 after safety authorities identified a Takata airbag that could pose a critical risk of death or serious injury. The inflator could rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin. BMW offered inspection and transportation assistance to owners.
Source

Marketing campaigns

2018Australian compulsory recall
Australia
The Australian government made replacement of Takata airbags compulsory, covering approximately 2.3 million vehicles.
Outcome. Manufacturers were required to replace affected airbags within the prescribed period, with the campaign continuing after Takata's acquisition.
Source
2018New Zealand compulsory Takata airbag recall
New Zealand
New Zealand required the recall of approximately 50,000 vehicles fitted with high-risk Takata Alpha inflators and restricted imports of vehicles whose defective airbags had not been replaced.
Outcome. The government described the campaign as the country's largest vehicle recall of its kind at that time.
Source
2014Global automaker expansion of Takata airbag recalls
Global
BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, and other manufacturers announced additional campaigns after regulators investigated inflator ruptures and manufacturing problems at Takata's Mexican facility.
Outcome. NHTSA ordered a nationwide U.S. recall, and recalls continued to expand in later years.
Source
2013Initial defective-airbag recalls
United States · Japan · Asia-Pacific
Vehicle manufacturers began recalling cars with Takata inflators after reports of ruptures, deaths, and injuries. Early campaigns focused on vehicles and regions considered particularly exposed to heat and humidity.
Outcome. The recalls expanded into a global safety crisis involving more than 20 automakers.
Source
1995Takata seat-belt buckle recall
United States
A broad recall addressed seat-belt buckles whose plastic components could become brittle after ultraviolet exposure and interfere with proper operation. Vehicles from multiple Japanese manufacturers and Japanese-built vehicles sold under American brands were included.
Outcome. The campaign covered more than eight million vehicles, but completion was slow. Honda and Takata were each assessed a civil penalty for delayed notification of the defect.
Source

Brand decisions

2018
Sell remaining assets to Key Safety SystemsM&A
Background
Bankruptcy proceedings required a sale of Takata's operating assets to address creditor and product-liability obligations.
Action taken
Key Safety Systems acquired the remaining Takata assets in a transaction reported at approximately $1.6 billion.
Aftermath
The acquired business was renamed Joyson Safety Systems and Takata ceased to operate as an independent company.
Reported acquisition value. Approximately $1.6 billion (2018)
Source
2017
Resolve the U.S. airbag investigationOther
Background
Takata faced criminal exposure, product-liability claims, victim injuries, and automaker losses arising from defective inflators.
Action taken
The company agreed to plead guilty and pay $1 billion, including a $25 million fine, $125 million for victims, and $850 million for automakers.
Aftermath
The resolution did not prevent bankruptcy, which followed later in 2017.
U.S. criminal and civil resolution. $1 billion (2017)
Source
2017
File for bankruptcy protectionOther
Background
Compensation claims, recall liabilities, litigation, and other obligations exceeded the company's ability to continue independently.
Action taken
Takata filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States and bankruptcy protection in Japan.
Aftermath
Key Safety Systems acquired the remaining assets, and the operations later became Joyson Safety Systems.
Source
2014
Commit to stronger quality controls after Mexican plant investigationStrategy
Background
Investigations connected defective inflators with manufacturing and storage practices at Takata's Monclova facility.
Action taken
Takata acknowledged manufacturing problems and said it would strengthen quality controls and work to prevent recurrence.
Aftermath
The recalls continued to expand, and later criminal and civil proceedings found the company's response inadequate.
Source
2000
Acquire Petri AGM&A
Background
Takata sought to strengthen its European footprint and broaden its automotive component capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired German competitor Petri AG, bringing steering-wheel and plastic-component operations into the Takata-Petri organization.
Aftermath
The European subsidiary was later renamed Takata AG in 2012.
Source

Recent events

2021.09.02
Reported2021.09.02
Volkswagen agrees to $42 million Takata airbag settlement[19]Volkswagen agrees to $42 million Takata airbag settlementcarscoops.com
Volkswagen's U.S. unit agreed to a $42 million settlement covering 1.35 million vehicles equipped with faulty Takata airbag inflators. The settlement provides for reimbursement of specified owner costs, and a large portion of the funds will be used to boost recall completion rates.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.03.11
Nissan South Africa recalls vehicles for Takata airbag fix[20]Nissan South Africa recalls vehicles for Takata airbag fixcitizen.co.za
Nissan South Africa issued a recall of several older vehicle models affected by Takata airbags and directed owners to take their vehicles to a Nissan dealership for an airbag fix. The article does not disclose the number of affected vehicles.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.02.22
Ford recalls vehicles over potentially missing Takata airbags[21]Ford recalls vehicles over potentially missing Takata airbagswitl.com
Ford announced a recall after discovering that 45 airbags were missing from stock service parts that were supposed to be purged. The potentially affected vehicles include Ford Rangers and other models; owners were to receive notices and vehicles would be inspected and replaced if airbags were found.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.01.20
NHTSA orders Ford to set a schedule for airbag recall remedy[18]GM announces global Takata air-bag inflator recallautoevolution.com
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered Ford to provide a proposed schedule for notifying vehicle owners and launching a remedy related to Takata airbag inflators. The agency estimated that 3.04 million vehicles were affected.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.01.20
US agency decision requires recalls for Ford and Mazda vehicles with Takata airbags[17]GM announces global Takata air-bag inflator recalleconotimes.com
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rejected Ford Motor Co’s petition against recalling 3 million vehicles with potentially defective Takata airbags. The decision also requires Mazda to recall and repair driver airbags in approximately 5,800 vehicles. The inflators could rupture and send metal fragments flying.
2020.11.23
Reported2020.11.23
GM announces global Takata air-bag inflator recall[16]GM announces global Takata air-bag inflator recallnbclosangeles.com
General Motors announced that it would recall about 7 million pickup trucks and SUVs worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air-bag inflators. The recall covers specified 2007–2014 model-year vehicles. NHTSA concluded the inflators were at risk of exploding after long-term exposure to high heat and humidity.
2020.04.02
Reported2020.04.03
Nissan recalls vehicles to replace Takata air bag inflators[10]Nissan recalls vehicles for Takata airbag inflator replacementcourthousenews.com
Nissan is recalling more than a quarter-million SUVs, trucks and vans worldwide to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators. The report says the inflators can explode with excessive force and hurl shrapnel; documents posted Thursday say Takata packed too much ammonium nitrate propellant into them during manufacturing.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Unconfirmed
Volkswagen recalls nearly 107,000 vehicles sold under Audi[9]Nissan recalls vehicles for Takata airbag inflator replacementksl.com
Volkswagen is recalling nearly 107,000 older vehicles sold under its Audi luxury brand because Takata driver's air bag inflators may malfunction or hurl shrapnel in a crash. The article says the problem has led to at least one death.
Unconfirmed
Reported2020.01.21
Honda recalls 2.4 million vehicles for air bag inflator replacement[11]Nissan recalls vehicles for Takata airbag inflator replacementktsa.com
Honda is recalling 2.4 million older vehicles in the United States to replace potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators. The recall covers certain Honda and Acura vehicles from model years 1996 to 2003; replacement parts are not yet available and repairs are expected to start in about a year.
Unconfirmed
Honda and Mitsubishi recall vehicles fitted with Takata NADI 5-AT airbags[22]Honda and Mitsubishi recall vehicles fitted with Takata NADI 5-AT airbagsmiragenews.com
Honda and Mitsubishi commenced voluntary recalls of vehicles manufactured between 1996 and 2000 because faulty Takata NADI 5-AT airbags may misdeploy and propel metal fragments or under-inflate. Mitsubishi and Honda offered to buy back affected vehicles and provide alternative transport options.

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