The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reaffirmed its stance on the dangers posed by over 50 million airbag inflators, signaling a significant step towards a widespread recall. The decision, announced on Wednesday, specifically targets inflators manufactured by ARC Automotive Inc. in Tennessee and another parts supplier, despite resistance from various automakers.
These inflators, installed in approximately 49 million vehicles across 13 different manufacturers, have been identified as potential hazards due to their propensity to explode upon deployment, sending dangerous shrapnel towards drivers and passengers. NHTSA reports that these defective inflators have already caused seven injuries and two fatalities in the United States and Canada since 2009.
The agency's investigation revealed alarming findings, with seven inflators rupturing in real-world scenarios in the U.S., exhibiting signs of inadequate welds or excessive pressure within the canister meant to contain the explosion and inflate the airbags during a collision. Furthermore, 23 inflators failed during testing, displaying similar issues to those that failed in actual incidents. Tragically, four inflators ruptured outside the U.S., resulting in at least one fatality.
While acknowledging that most of the affected inflators may not rupture, NHTSA emphasized the inherent risk associated with the manufacturing process, linking past ruptures to a common friction welding technique. The agency stressed that all the identified inflators are potentially at risk of rupturing, necessitating immediate action to mitigate the danger.
Despite objections from several automakers who argued against the existence of a safety defect, NHTSA maintained that the only way to ascertain the risk posed by the ARC-designed inflators is through their deployment in a crash. Citing the federal motor vehicle safety act, the agency underscored the imperative of addressing any potential defect promptly to safeguard public safety.
