ARC airbag inflators can potentially explode and eject deadly pieces of metal shrapnel when the airbag is triggered, according to a warning from U.S. safety officials.
Need a Texas Tesla 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 Tesla 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?
The top auto-safety regulatory agency in the U.S. is seeking a recall for 52 million airbag inflators that can potentially rupture and explode when the airbag is triggered, ejecting deadly pieces of metal shrapnel.
These airbag inflators were used in vehicles sold by Tesla and 11 other auto-makers, but only a small fraction have been recalled.
How Many People Have Been Injured or Killed?
Since 2009, at least two deaths and 7 serious injuries have been caused by metal shrapnel that blew out of an airbag inflator that was made by ARC Automotive or Delphi Automotive Systems, according to an investigation by U.S. safety officials. Tragically, several of these deadly incidents involved minor low-speed collisions.
Tesla Vehicle Makes & Model-Years (2000 to 2018)
Tesla manufactured the following plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) between 2000 and 2018:
- Tesla Roadster (2008 – present)
- Tesla Model S (2012 – present)
- Tesla Model X (2015 – present)
- Tesla Model 3 (2017 – present)
Has Tesla Recalled My Vehicle?
No. Tesla has not yet provided a complete list of vehicles makes and models that were equipped with ARC airbag inflators. No recalls have been announced yet, but safety officials are seeking a recall for airbag inflators that were manufactured between 2000 and January 2018.
ARC Automotive Rejects U.S. Government Recall Demand
ARC Automotive, a Tennessee-based company that manufactured the airbag inflators, has been owned by the Chinese real estate investor Yinyi Group since 2016. The company has refused to recall the airbag inflators, despite a request from the U.S. government in April 2023.
ARC claims that no defect exists in the airbag inflators. Instead, the company blamed any problems with the inflators on “isolated” manufacturing issues during high-volume production.
Manufacturing Problem Linked to ARC Airbags
Investigators believe that metal debris can get left behind inside the airbag inflator when the metal canister is being welded together. If this debris is big enough, it can plug up a hole in the inflator that is designed to let gases escape and fill up the airbag. Instead, the trapped gases pressurize the metal canister and cause it to explode.
What is the Risk?
- Bleeding to death
- Metal fragments blow out of the airbag
- Injuries to the face, neck, chest or body
- Blindness
- Lacerations
- Airbag fails to deploy
- Death
Need a Tesla 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: