Mercedes-Benz may be forced to recall vehicles that were made with ARC airbag inflators, which can potentially explode and kill people with flying pieces of metal shrapnel.
Need a Texas Mercedes-Benz 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 Mercedes-Benz airbag exploded or failed to deploy, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
What is the Problem?
Mercedes-Benz and 11 other auto-manufacturers may be forced to recall millions of vehicles to replace defective airbag inflators.
These airbags were manufactured by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive between 2000 and 2018.
Has Mercedes-Benz Recalled My Vehicle?
No. Mercedes-Benz used ARC airbag inflators that are potentially defective, but there is not yet a complete list of vehicle makes and models.
Only limited recalls have been issued for ARC airbag inflators, and none of those recalls involve Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
What is the Risk?
When the airbag is triggered, the inflators can potentially rupture and shoot out metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment, causing severe injury or death to anyone inside the vehicle.
The safety risks include:
- Severe bleeding
- Metal shrapnel injuries
- Lacerations to the face, neck, chest, or body
- Blindness
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Injuries linked to airbag failing to inflate
- Head injuries
- Death
ARC Airbags Linked to 2 Deaths in U.S. and Canada
Since 2009, at least 2 deaths and 7 injuries have been reported in the U.S. and Canada, according to an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Who Made These Airbags?
These defective airbag inflators were made by ARC Automotive Inc., a company based in Knoxville, Tennessee, that has been owned by a Chinese investor since 2016. The company sent letters to the government saying it “can’t state for sure whether its inflators might rupture again.”
The airbag inflators were also manufactured under a licensing agreement by another company called Delphi Automotive Systems LLC.
When Were The Airbags Manufactured?
The airbag inflators in question were manufactured by ARC and Delphi between 2000 and January 2018.
ARC made about 41 million inflators during that time, including driver and passenger airbags. Delphi made about 11 million airbag inflators between 2001 and 2004.
ARC Fixed Manufacturing Problem in January 2018
According to the NHTSA, airbag inflators manufactured after January 2018 are less likely to rupture because ARC Automotive fixed a manufacturing problem to help prevent “weld slag” from being left behind inside the inflator canister.
There are no reports of ruptures involving airbag inflators that were made after January 2018.
Safety Officials in Canada Investigate ARC Airbags in Mercedes-Benz Vehicles
The top auto-safety regulator in Canada, Transport Canada, announced that it is investigating the safety of driver frontal ARC airbag inflators in the Mercedes-Benz Smart Fortwo (2008-2016).
Need a Mercedes-Benz 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.
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