Current:Home > StocksNHTSA pushes to recall 52 million airbag inflators that ruptured and caused injury, death -消息
NHTSA pushes to recall 52 million airbag inflators that ruptured and caused injury, death
View
Date:2025-04-14 08:50:34
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to recall 52 million air bag inflators after finding that they can rupture, causing shrapnel to fly and cause injuries. In the United States, it's already killed one person and injured seven others, and the agency expressed that there could be more if the inflators aren't either recalled or replaced.
The air bag inflators were manufactured by ARC Automotive Inc. and Delphi Automotive Systems through January 2018, according to the agency. As air bags continued to rupture, the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation requested in April 2023 that ARC Automotive initiate a recall.
But ARC Automotive argued that the agency lacked "sufficient evidence" that there was a safety defect and that the seven confirmed ruptures that caused injuries were "occasional or isolated failures that are an inevitable part of any volume manufacturing process.”
Delphi Automotive Systems has since been bought by Autoliv ASP, Inc., who may not be liable for the inflators made prior to their acquisition. The NHTSA hasn't verified whose legal responsibility it would be, but it could fall on the vehicle manufacturers who used the inflators as part of their original equipment.
According to the agency's investigation, the weld slag is likely causing the ruptures. When the weld slag gets dislodged, it can block the inflator's exit orifice when the air bag deploys, causing the inflator to rupture due to over-pressurization. It has the potential to propel shrapnel or metal fragments from the inflator into the passenger compartment.
The NHTSA's holding a public meeting on the proposed recall on October 5.
The affected vehicles
The air bag inflators were incorporated into vehicles at the following 12 manufacturers:
- BMW of North America, LLC
- FCA US LLC
- Ford Motor Company
- General Motors LLC
- Hyundai Motor America, Inc.
- Kia America, Inc.
- Maserati North America, Inc.
- Mercedes-Benz USA LLC
- Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
- Tesla Inc.
- Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
The injuries prompting the recall
The NHTSA received reports of seven injuries and one death in the United States in connection to the air bag inflators. They are also aware of two incidents outside of the U.S. − an air bag inflator that ruptured in Turkey but caused no injuries, and one that caused the death of a driver in China.
Here are the details of the U.S. incidents:
- In January 2009, a driver in Ohio was severely injured after the air bag inflator ruptured on his 2002 Chrysler Town and Country minivan.
- In April 2014, a New Mexico driver sustained injuries on his face and legs after his driver's side air bag inflator ruptured in his 2004 Kia Optima.
- In September 2017, a Pennsylvania driver sustained face and head injuries after the driver's side air bag inflator ruptured in his 2010 Chevrolet Malibu.
- In August 2021, a Michigan driver was killed after the driver's side air bag inflator ruptured in their 2015 Chevrolet Traverse.
- In October 2021, a driver side air bag inflator in a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse ruptured in Kentucky and caused the driver facial injuries.
- In December 2021, a California passenger and driver were both injured after the passenger-side air bag inflator ruptured in a 2016 Audi A3 e-Tron.
- In March 2023, the air bag inflator on the driver's side in a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse ruptured in Michigan, causing the driver facial injuries.
Recall alert:Nearly 145,000 Kia vehicles recalled due to potentially fatal safety hazard
Kia, Ford, Harley-Davidson among 611,000vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
veryGood! (5729)
Related
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Maui's cultural landmarks burned, but all is not lost
- Mother drowns trying to save son at waterfall and father rescues another son trapped by boulders
- Entire police department in small Minnesota city resigns, citing low pay
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Commission won’t tell Wisconsin’s top elections official whether to appear at reappointment hearing
- Tennessee man who killed 8 gets life in prison in surprise plea deal after new evidence surfaces
- Charles McGonigal, ex-FBI official who worked for sanctioned Russian oligarch, pleads guilty
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Biden to visit Maui on Monday as wildfire recovery efforts continue
Ranking
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Express Lanes extension to Fredericksburg on Interstate 95 in Virginia set to open
- Victor of Louisiana insurance commissioner election decided after candidate withdraws
- Minnesota woman sentenced to 7 years in prison in $7M pandemic aid fraud scheme
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Florida's coral reef is in danger. Scientists say rescued corals may aid recovery
- 'Orange is the New Black' star Taryn Manning apologizes for video rant about alleged affair
- 'The Blind Side' subject Michael Oher is suing the Tuohy family. Many know the pain of family wounds.
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Dottie Fideli went viral when she married herself. There's much more to her story.
Pushing back on limits elsewhere, Vermont’s lieutenant governor goes on banned books tour
Stevie Nicks praises 'Daisy Jones & the Six' portrayal, wishes Christine McVie 'could have seen it'
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
Israel may uproot ancient Christian mosaic. Where it could go next is sparking an outcry.
Patrick Hamilton, ex-AP and Reuters photographer who covered Central American wars, dies at 74
Nigeriens call for mass recruitment of volunteers as the junta faces possible regional invasion