After the driver of a Kia was hit in the face by metal that blew out of an airbag, safety officials warned that around 52 million ARC airbag inflators could be defective.
Need a Texas Kia 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 died when a Kia airbag exploded or failed to deploy, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Safety Officials Believe 52 Million Airbag Inflators Are Defective
U.S. safety officials are warning that around 52 million airbag inflators are defective because they can rupture and eject metal shrapnel, causing severe injury or death to people inside the vehicle.
The airbag inflators were installed in vehicles from Kia and 11 other automakers, although there is not yet a complete list of vehicles.
Instead, safety officials are working to force a recall from the Tennessee-based airbag inflator manufacturers, ARC Automotive Inc. and Delphi Automotive Systems LLC.
The inflators were made from 2000 through January 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How Many People Died?
Two deaths and 7 serious injuries have been linked to ARC airbag inflators that ruptured and shot out metal shrapnel. The first injury was reported in 2009, and the most recent occurred in March 2023.
Kia Owner Seriously Injured by Exploding ARC Airbag
In April 2014, a Kia owner was seriously injured when a driver-side ARC airbag exploded. The incident involved a 2004 Kia Optima in New Mexico. The driver was injured in the face and legs by metal that shot out of a driver-side ARC airbag inflator, according to the NHTSA.
The air bag module was made by Delphi Automotive and contained a single-stage ARC inflator that was made in Knoxville, Tennessee.
ARC Fixes Airbag Manufacturing Problem in January 2018
In January 2018, ARC Automotive updated their manufacturing process to reduce the risk of inflator ruptures, and no injuries or deaths have been linked to inflators that were made since then.
Transport Canada Lists Kia Vehicles Under Investigation for Airbags
Transport Canada is investigating the following Kia vehicles, which may contain dangerous driver-side ARC airbag inflators:
- Kia Amanti 2006-2009
- Kia Forte 2014-2016
- Kia Magentis 2001-2006
- Kia Rio 2009-2011
- Kia Rondo 2007-2012
- Kia Sedona 2006-2014
- Kia Sportage 2005-2016
What is the Problem With ARC Airbags?
Airbag inflators manufactured by ARC and Delphi have been linked to a manufacturing problem. During the friction welding process, extra metal debris called “weld slag” is sometimes left behind inside the metal canister that contains the airbag inflator.
When the airbag deploys, a chemical reaction inside the inflator is supposed to produce gases that fill up the airbag. Instead, the “weld slag” plugs up a hole that is supposed to allow gases to escape from the metal canister, causing the canister to pressurized and blow apart.
What is the Risk?
Airbag explosions can shoot out jagged pieces of metal from the airbag inflator through the airbag and directly into a driver’s face, neck, chest, or body. Passengers in the vehicle may also be injured or killed.
Airbag May Fail to Deploy
Another problem is that metal rips open the airbag, causing the bag to fail to inflate. If the car accident is serious enough, the driver and passengers can be seriously injured when they hit the steering wheel or other parts of the vehicle because the airbag does not protect them.
Severe Injuries Linked to Airbag Explosions
- Metal shrapnel injuries
- Severe bleeding
- Lacerations
- Permanent scarring
- Blindness
- Brain bleeding
- Chest wounds (may resemble gunshots or stab-wounds)
- Death
Need a Kia 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.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years of experience, participation in over 600 jury trials, and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: