U.S. government urges immediate recall of airbag inflators across automakers
More than 67 million airbags Gas generators can be recalled(opens in a new tab) due to safety concerns, following the findings of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into alleged safety concerns. The report has prompted the US government agency to urge the manufacturer for an immediate recall.
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“Although incidents are rare, the incidents that occurred were serious and prompted the agency to issue a recall request,” wrote NHTSA spokeswoman Veronica Morales in an opinion(opens in a new tab) reported by CNN. “NHTSA is taking this action within the limits of its authority to investigate possible defects and monitor recalls in accordance with the Vehicle Safety Act.”
The investigation looked at security bag inflators manufactured by Knoxville, Tennessee ARC Automotive, Inc.(opens in a new tab) during an 18-year inspection period prior to January 2018, Engadget reported. The airbag inflators were supplied to six airbag manufacturers, which were then installed in vehicles by at least twelve automakers. The agency has not yet announced which car manufacturers are specifically involved.
NHTSA’s investigation was prompted by at least nine instances in which the airbags ruptured violently, throwing metal fragments into the vehicle, resulting in one known fatality. GM has already done it has issued a recall for one million vehicles(opens in a new tab) (including 2014–2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia) in response to the investigation and an accident in which a front airbag inflator ruptured in one of its vehicles.
However, in response to a letter from NHTSA, ARC disputed the agency’s findings and request for a recall, writing, “We disagree with NHTSA’s new comprehensive request because extensive field testing has not revealed an inherent deficiency.” Additionally, it wrote Steve Gold, the company’s VP of Product Integrity, in a response, “The testing program demonstrated with 99% confidence and 99% confidence that the inflators in the test group would deploy without rupturing.” According to ARC, they did The above incidents are the result of “one-off” defects that have already been corrected by the respective car manufacturers.
Other airbag recalls have roiled the market due to global safety concerns. Since 2016, more than 67 million airbags made by Japanese manufacturer Takata have been recalled in the United States, and another 100 million worldwide.
