Safety officials believe that 52 million airbag inflators made by ARC and Delphi Automotive can explode and shoot out deadly metal shrapnel, even after minor fender-benders.
Need a Texas Delphi Airbag Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you were injured or a loved one was killed by metal from an airbag explosion, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What is the Problem?
About 52 million airbag inflators made by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive can explode and shoot out jagged metal pieces, according to the NHTSA. The metal can hit drivers and passengers in the face, neck, chest, or body, resulting in severe bleeding and death. The metal also rips the airbag, so it fails to inflate.
Both issues pose life-threatening safety hazards, according to the conclusions of an investigative report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in August 2023.
Airbag Manufacturer Refuses to Issue Recall
Safety officials demanded a recall in April 2023, but the manufacturer, ARC Automotive, has refused to issue a recall — insisting that any problems are linked to “isolated” manufacturing problems. Officials believe that around 33 million vehicles are still on the road today with these deadly airbags.
Why Do ARC and Delphi Airbags Explode?
NHTSA investigators believe that ARC and Delphi airbag inflators can explode due to a manufacturing problem.
The problem is linked to a friction welding process that was used to manufacture a metal canister that houses the airbag inflator. This welding process can produce extra debris called “weld slag.”
If the debris is big enough, it will block an exit hole in the inflator that is supposed to allow gases to escape and inflate the airbag.
When the hole is blocked, pressure rapidly increases in the inflator and causes the metal canister to blow apart, shooting out jagged metal parts that can injure or kill people, and also rip the airbag.
How Many Vehicles Might Have Defective Airbags?
The NTSA is seeking to recall about 52 million driver-side and passenger-side airbag inflators that were manufactured by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive between 2000 and January 2018.
Who Is Delphi Automotive?
In July 2001, ARC granted a licensing agreement with Delphi to manufacture driver-side airbag modules. Delphi manufactured about 11 million airbag inflators between 2001 and 2004.
ARC continued to manufacture driver and passenger airbag inflators, producing about 41 million inflators between 2000 and January 2018.
Safety Officials Believe ARC Fixed Airbag Problem in 2018
In January 2018, ARC updated their manufacturing process to detect excessive weld slag and other debris inside the inflator, which significantly reduces the risk of debris causing the inflator to explode.
There are no reports of ruptures involving airbag inflators that were manufactured after January 2018, according to the NHTSA.
List of Auto-Makers Who Used Airbag Inflators from ARC and Delphi
About 52 million airbag inflators made by ARC and Delphi Automotive between 2000 and January 2018 could potentially explode. They were installed in vehicles that were sold by the following 12 auto-makers:
- BMW
- Stellantis / Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA)
- Ford
- General Motors (GM)
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Maserati
- Mercedes-Benz
- Porsche
- Tesla
- Toyota
- Volkswagen (VW)
Airbag Explosions Linked to 2 Deaths, 7 Injuries
As of August 2023, the NHTSA is aware of 2 deaths (one in the U.S. and one in Canada) and 7 injuries involving metal shrapnel that blew out of an airbag inflator manufactured by ARC Automotive.
- January 2009, a driver-side airbag inflator ruptured in a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country minivan in Ohio. The driver was severely injured.
- In April 2014, a driver-side airbag inflator manufactured by Delphi Automotive ruptured in a 2004 Kia Optima in New Mexico. The driver was injured on their face and legs.
- In July 2016 in Canada, a driver-side airbag inflator ruptured in a 2009 Hyundai Elantra, killing the driver. The airbag deployed after a minor crash that should have been survivable. “The incident was a low-speed collision, which was expected to be survivable,” according to CBC News.
- In September 2017, a driver-side airbag inflator ruptured in a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu in Pennsylvania. The driver was injured on their face and head.
- In August 2021, a driver-side airbag ruptured in a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse in Michigan. The driver was killed. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by her family, the victim was a 39-year-old mother with 10 children who bled to death after being hit in the neck by metal that blew out of her airbag after a minor collision.
- In October 2021, a driver-side airbag in a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse ruptured in Kentucky. The driver suffered injuries to their face.
- In December 2021, a passenger-side airbag inflator ruptured in a 2016 Audi A3 e-Tron. Both the driver and passenger were injured.
- In March 2023, a driver-side airbag inflator ruptured in a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse in Michigan. The driver suffered injuries to their face.
Need a Delphi Airbag Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
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