The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the forced recall of 51 million airbag inflators in over 49 million vehicles. This recall, close in scale to the Takata airbag recall affecting 67 million cars, involves inflators made by Tennessee-based ARC Automotive.
The ARC Automotive airbag inflator recall order impacts at least 13 automakers, including BMW, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen. The specific models affected have not been disclosed, but automakers are likely to start replacing the parts proactively.
Airbag inflators, small metal capsules with chemicals that create gas to inflate airbags during a crash, have been found defective. NHTSA alleges debris from the welding process can block the nozzle, causing the inflator’s metal shell to explode, sending hot metal fragments into the cabin. The agency reports seven injuries and one death in the U.S. linked to these inflators.
Despite NHTSA’s request for a voluntary recall last summer, ARC Automotive refused, disputing the danger. The company now has 30 days to respond to NHTSA’s order. If they fail to present new evidence, NHTSA will mandate the recall and instruct manufacturers to replace the inflators.
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